President-elect Donald Trump stirred yet more controversy on Wednesday with another pick ― this time of the former news anchor-turned-two-time election loser Kari Lake to run the government-funded, historically nonpartisan Voice of America broadcast agency.
Lake as director of VOA will help “ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media,” Trump wrote in an announcement on his Truth Social platform.
“Kari was a beloved News Anchor in Arizona, which supported me by record margins, for over 20 years,” he added. “Congratulations Kari!”
Lake herself said she was “honored” and described VOA as “a vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States by engaging directly with people across the globe and promoting democracy and truth.”
“Under my leadership, the VOA will excel in its mission: chronicling America’s achievements worldwide,” she added. “Thank you for putting your trust in me, President Trump. I look forward to leading the Voice of America, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Lake lost the Arizona governor election to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022 and a U.S. Senate election to Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in November. She repeatedly claimed election fraud in her 2022 loss and pushed Trump’s own 2020 election lies.
Lake had reportedly been considered for the position of Trump’s U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The VOA role is not confirmed by the Senate.
Critics on social media feared what her new role would mean for VOA:
Democracy In The Balance
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