Kari Lake Appointed to Lead Voice of America
In a surprising move, President-elect Donald Trump has picked Kari Lake, a well-known figure in Arizona Republican politics, to lead the Voice of America (VOA). This announcement has left many Arizona Republicans relieved, as Lake’s political future in the state had been under scrutiny following unsuccessful bids for governor and Senate in two consecutive elections.
The nomination effectively removes Lake from any potential candidacy for state Republican Party chair or Arizona secretary of state, positions for which her name had been floated. This creates an opportunity for other Republicans, such as Karrin Taylor Robson, who previously ran against Lake in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, to step into the limelight.
Despite her election losses, Lake has maintained a robust following on social media, especially among the MAGA crowd. She is expected to continue influencing Arizona GOP politics. However, the question of what Lake’s political future held has been a significant issue for Arizona Republicans. Trump’s decision to appoint her to VOA leadership, therefore, brings some clarity.
Implications for Arizona Republican Politics
With Lake’s new appointment, a vacuum has been left in Arizona Republican politics. Notably, it’s an opportunity for Karrin Taylor Robson, who had previously competed against Lake. GOP strategist Barrett Marson stated, “I think it clears space for the conservative but normal wing of the Republican Party in Arizona.”
Lake’s appointment also removes a potential hurdle for Robson, who has been suggested as a likely Republican candidate for governor. Her appointment takes “a pretty big potential name off the chessboard,” according to an anonymous Republican strategist.
Lake’s New Role
In her new role at Voice of America, Lake will be at the helm of a $267 million agency that broadcasts in over 40 languages to a global audience of more than 354 million people. With over three decades of experience in broadcast news, including 22 years at the Fox affiliate in Phoenix, Lake brings a wealth of experience to this position.
The VOA director is appointed by the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, a Senate-confirmed position that Trump has yet to name. The director needs a majority support from a seven-member advisory board of presidential appointees, who also require Senate confirmation.
Looking Ahead
Lake’s appointment is significant for both Arizona politics and the future of the Voice of America. It provides an opportunity for other Republican politicians in Arizona to step up, while also bringing a staunch Trump loyalist to a significant international media outlet.
Lake’s commitment to promoting “democracy and truth” and chronicling “America’s achievements worldwide” indicates a clear vision for her role at the VOA. However, her controversial past, including false claims that Trump won the 2020 election and contesting her own 2022 loss, adds an element of uncertainty to her leadership.
Nevertheless, the impact of Lake’s appointment on both Arizona politics and the VOA will be closely watched in the coming months. As Marson humorously noted, “She’s no longer Arizona’s problem. Now, she’s the world’s problem.”
