USA Trump loyalist Kari Lake to lead US foreign broadcasting

US President-elect Donald Trump wants to make his loyal supporter Kari Lake from Arizona head of the US state foreign broadcasting service "Voice of America". The Republican announced this on his Truth Social platform.

The 55-year-old still has to be formally appointed by the future head of the responsible broadcasting authority - the "U.S. Agency for Global Media" (USAGM for short). The agency oversees all state-funded foreign broadcasting programs in the USA that are not under the control of the military. Trump has also announced that he will soon appoint the head of USAGM. The appointment of this position requires the approval of the Senate.

Renewed attack: "fake news media"

Trump stated that Lake and the future USAGM leadership would "work closely together to ensure that the American values of freedom and independence are broadcast FAIRLY and ACCURATELY around the world" - in contrast to the "lies being spread by the Fake News Media". Lake thanked Trump in a post on Platform X, saying that under her leadership, the station would "excel at the task of documenting America's achievements around the world."

Trump regularly questions the credibility of established media outlets. Critics fear that he could try to use "Voice of America" for his political agenda. Even during Trump's first term in office, the then head of USAGM - also a loyal supporter - wanted to influence the station's editorial independence.

Broadcasting as "soft power"

"Voice of America" was founded in 1942 to counter Nazi Germany's propaganda and bring reliable news to occupied territories. Today, it includes several radio services that broadcast programs in dozens of languages. In Germany, the station can no longer be received on linear television or radio, as it is primarily aimed at countries with limited freedom of the press.

Legal requirements are intended to prevent political influence on "Voice of America". At the same time, the station plays an important role for the international reputation of the USA: as an instrument of so-called "soft power", it serves to present American values and ideals in a positive light worldwide. In some countries, it is perceived as the mouthpiece of the US government.

Election denier with broadcasting experience

Lake worked for many years as a news anchor at the local television station Fox 10 Phoenix in Arizona. She later switched to politics and represents a radical orientation of the Republican Party.

In November, she failed in her bid for an open Senate seat in Arizona. She had already lost the state's gubernatorial election in 2022. Lake did not acknowledge her defeat at the time and spread unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about electoral fraud. Lawsuits against the election result were dismissed by the courts.