Trump Picks Arizona Politician Kari Lake to Head Voice of America

In a surprising move, U. S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Kari Lake, a former Arizona journalist and political ally, to lead the Voice of America (VOA), a global broadcaster funded by the U. S. government. Lake, known for her support of "America First" policies, left journalism in 2021 to run for governor, and unsuccessfully campaigned for the Senate in 2024. Trump plans to announce his pick for the U. S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) soon, a role that oversees VOA and requires Senate approval.

The current VOA director, Mike Abramowitz, acknowledged the announcement but hasn't received further details. He aims for a smooth transition, emphasizing cooperation with the new administration. Notably, a 2020 law altered agency management, requiring a board's majority vote for network head changes. Lake, who considers VOA vital for promoting democracy and truth, expressed her honor at being considered. She vowed to excel in chronicling America's global achievements. VOA broadcasts to 354 million people weekly in 49 languages.

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