Trump Orders Shutdown of Government-Funded Media Outlet Accused of Bias
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Former President Donald Trump has directed the closure of Voice of America, a U.S. government-funded news agency that he criticized for spreading biased reports. A senior White House official stated that Voice of America has been misaligned with American values for years, acting as a platform for divisive propaganda.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order to dismantle seven government offices, including the United States Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The order mandates reducing these entities to the minimum functions required by law.
Kari Lake, appointed by Trump as the next head of VOA in December, is currently a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. She informed employees to check their emails for updates on their job status. Lake, a former news anchor and political candidate from Arizona, posted on social media about the executive order impacting USAGM and its outlets, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
The Wall Street Journal reported that employees were notified via email about their termination, though the number of affected staff remains unclear.
The executive order targets several agencies, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and others. Voice of America has faced criticism for allegedly promoting biased content, such as downplaying certain events involving Hamas and publishing controversial articles.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast criticized VOA for its coverage, stating that American taxpayers should not fund media that appears to support terrorist propaganda.
Voice of America has also been scrutinized for past content, including articles on "white privilege" and stories perceived as biased during the 2020 presidential campaign.
A former VOA employee previously called for the outlet's closure, citing its deviation from journalistic standards and alignment with partisan media.
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