WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is naming Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who unsuccessfully ran for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to lead the congressionally funded network that provides independent news reports to the world.

Lake, an immigration hardliner, was a television news anchor in Phoenix for nearly three decades until she left in 2021 after making a series of controversial statements on social media, including spreading misinformation about COVID-19 during the pandemic .

Telegenic, engaging and communicative, Lake launched her political career soon after, quickly building a loyal following and a national profile as she sparred with journalists and echoed Trump in his sharp criticism of what she called “fake news.” .

In a statement, Trump said Lake will ultimately be appointed by the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media for his new term and will work closely with him, “which I will announce soon.”

He said Lake will “ensure that American values ​​of freedom and liberty are spread FAIRLY and ACCURATELY around the world, unlike the lies spread by the fake news media.”

The president-elect has been a fierce critic of Voice of America in the past, saying, among other things, in 2020 that “the things they say are disgusting to our country.”

The network drew additional criticism during Trump’s first term for its coverage of the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. A White House publication, the 1600 Daily email digest of news and events, accused him of using taxpayer money “to advocate authoritarian views.” regime.” This came after VOA reported on the lifting of lockdowns in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus first emerged.

Founded during World War II, VOA is required by its congressional charter to present independent news and information to international audiences. She responded to Trump’s criticism by defending her reporting.

After taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden’s administration immediately removed a number of senior officials allied with Trump from the VOA and its associated positions.

Lake endeared herself to Trump by her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were victims of voter fraud. She has never admitted that she lost the governor’s race and described herself as a “rightful governor” in her 2023 book “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.”

Lake continued her unsuccessful court battle to overturn the Senate even after she began her run for the Senate – which she lost by an even larger margin last month after she tried to moderate her tone during her tone but encountered difficulty had to maintain a consistent message on sensitive issues, including voter fraud and abortion.

Trump still considered her as his vice presidential running mate before settling on JD Vance.

Also on Wednesday, Trump announced Leandro Rizzuto as his choice for U.S. ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States and said he wanted Florida personal injury lawyer Dan Newlin to be his administration’s ambassador to Colombia.

He also chose Peter Lamelas, a doctor and founder of one of Florida’s largest emergency care companies, as U.S. ambassador to Argentina. Lamelas is also a major donor to the past campaigns of Trump and other top Republicans.

___

Cooper reported from Phoenix.