Kari Lake Tapped by Trump to Steer Voice of America

By Matthew Holloway |

In a significant announcement on Wednesday evening, President-elect Donald Trump named Arizona’s Kari Lake as the new Director of Voice of America (VOA). Lake, who has an extensive broadcasting career dating back to 1991, will take over the role from Biden appointee Michael Abramowitz, previously associated with the Washington Post.

Details from the Associated Press describe Lake as a dynamic communicator with a strong stance on immigration policies. Trump’s selection underscores his recognition of Lake as a widely respected news anchor, particularly among constituents in Arizona, who supported him by substantial margins.

In his statement, Trump expressed confidence in Lake’s capabilities, stating, “I am pleased to announce that Kari Lake will serve as our next Director of the Voice of America… to ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY.” He emphasized the contrast between her leadership and what he termed the misinformation from “Fake News Media”.

Voice of America is a prominent international broadcasting network offering news and cultural content in forty languages. It operates under the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which also oversees entities like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. Trump’s upcoming appointment of the next head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media will be pivotal before Lake can officially assume her role. This agency is supported by a bipartisan International Broadcasting Advisory Board, which oversees appointments and policies.

Upon her selection, Lake took to social media to express gratitude, saying, “I am honored that President Trump has asked me to lead the Voice of America… is a vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States.” She highlighted VOA’s extensive reach, sharing that it engages with an audience of 326 million people in 48 languages.

Trump’s relationship with VOA has been complex, marked by his criticism of the outlet in 2020 for what he perceived as unfavorable coverage that misrepresented American interests. Following the Biden administration’s takeover in 2021, Trump’s previous appointments were swiftly replaced, leaning toward personnel more aligned with the Democratic agenda.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.