Current:Home > reviewsTrump taps immigration hard-VaTradeCoin
Trump taps immigration hard
lotradecoin KYC verification process View Date:2024-12-25 22:44:17
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trumpsaid Wednesday that he’s picking Kari Lakeas director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world.
Lake, an immigration hard-liner, 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 sharing COVID-19 misinformation during the pandemic. She launched her political career a short time later, quickly building a loyal followingand national profile as she sparred with journalists and echoed Trump in her sharp criticism of what she called the “fake news.”
She endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged her defeat in the 2022 gubernatorial raceand lost her Senate race last month by an even larger margin. Trump considered her for his vice presidential running mate before deciding on JD Vance.
Trump has in the past been a fierce critic of Voice of America, including saying in 2020 that “things they say are disgusting toward our country.”
The broadcaster drew additional criticism during Trump’s first term for its coverage of the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, with a White House publication accusing itof using taxpayer money “to speak for authoritarian regimes” because it covered the lifting of lockdown in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus first emerged.
VOA was founded during World War II, and its congressional charter requires it to present independent news and information to international audiences. It responded to Trump’s criticism by defending its coverage.
Upon taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden’s administration swiftly removed a number of senior officialsaligned with Trump from VOA and positions affiliated with it.
Also Wednesday, Trump announced Leandro Rizzuto as his choice to be the U.S. ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States, and said he wanted Florida personal injury attorney Dan Newlin to be his administration’s ambassador to Colombia.
He also picked Peter Lamelas, a physician and the founder of one of Florida’s largest urgent care companies, to be the U.S. ambassador to Argentina. Lamelas is also a large donor to the past campaigns of Trump and other top Republicans.
___
Cooper reported from Phoenix.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
veryGood! (49435)
Related
- SCDF aids police in gaining entry to cluttered Bedok flat, discovers 73
- Her name is Noa: Video shows woman being taken by Hamas at Supernova music festival where at least 260 were killed
- Black man was not a threat to Tacoma police charged in his restraint death, eyewitness says at trial
- NCAA President Charlie Baker to testify during Senate hearing on college sports next week
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- Judge makes ruling on who can claim historic shipwreck — and its valuable treasures — off Florida coast
- X promises ‘highest level’ response on posts about Israel-Hamas war. Misinformation still flourishes
- Michigan Democrats want to ease access to abortion. But one Democrat is saying no
- This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.
- Lego just unveiled its Animal Crossing sets coming in 2024. Here's a first look
Ranking
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Vanderpump Rules' Raquel Leviss Auctioning Off Scandoval Lightning Bolt Necklace for Charity
- Suspect fatally shot by San Francisco police after crashing car into Chinese Consulate
- Facing Beijing’s threats, Taiwan president says peace ‘only option’ to resolve political differences
- See Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's Twins Monroe and Moroccan Gift Her Flowers Onstage
- From Candy Corn to Kit Kats: The most popular (and hated) Halloween candy by state
- Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Share Insight Into Their Co-Parenting Relationship After Custody Agreement
- Video of traffic stop that led to Atlanta deacon's death will be released, attorney says
Recommendation
-
'September 5' depicts shocking day when terrorism arrived at the Olympics
-
Vermont police search for killer of a retired college dean shot on trail near university
-
Jamaican politician charged with abducting and raping a 16-year-old girl
-
Under heavy bombing, Palestinians in Gaza move from place to place, only to discover nowhere is safe
-
Hate crime charges dropped against 12 college students arrested in Maryland assault
-
Special counsel asks judge in Trump's Jan. 6 case to implement protections for jurors
-
NCAA President Charlie Baker to testify during Senate hearing on college sports next week
-
Olympic gymnastics champion Mary Lou Retton is in intensive care with pneumonia