Kari Lake, a former news anchor and Senate candidate from Arizona, was named the future director of the publicly financed Voice of America network by President-elect Donald Trump. He provided the news via his Truth Social account on Wednesday night, when he had multiple appointments with his administration in quick succession.
According to Trump’s post praising Lake, “Kari was a beloved News Anchor in Arizona, which supported me by record margins, for over 20 years.”
Additionally, Trump said he will soon name a leader for the U.S. Agency of Global Media. According to his letter, Lake would collaborate closely with that individual “to ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media.”
Before joining Trump, Lake’s political career was hardly a straight line. She lost her bid for a Senate seat in Arizona this year.
After eight years after leaving the GOP to register as an Independent and then a Democrat, she returned to politics as a Republican and achieved success with policies that matched those of the Make America Great Again movement.
She openly supported Trump’s “big lie” about election theft in 2021, and she capitalized on that storyline to support her own gubernatorial race in 2022. She also made an unsuccessful attempt to reverse the results of her own governor contest because she refused to accept the defeat.
Additionally, Trump announced that he would appoint Michael Rigas as deputy secretary of state for management and resources at the State Department.
During the previous Trump administration, Rigas held a number of positions, including acting deputy director at the Office of Management and Budget and both deputy and acting director of the Office of Personnel Management.
“Mike is a conservative warrior who knows how Government works, and will help Make America Great Again!” Trump wrote in his post.
Trump also revealed his intention to name Peter Lamelas, Daniel Newlin, and Leandro Rizzuto—three of his former donors—as ambassadors on Wednesday.
Newlin would be nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, he wrote.
Trump boasted about Newlin’s law enforcement experience in his congratulatory post on Truth Social, saying, “Dan had an excellent 28-year career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida. As a fugitive investigator working on serious crimes, Newlin made quick progress during his time there. Dan showed remarkable investigative abilities by removing hundreds of dangerous criminals from the streets, including those engaged in illicit gun and drug trafficking, gang violence, armed robbery, and human trafficking.
“With his Law Enforcement expertise enabling him to navigate complex international issues, and his business insights fostering economic partnerships, Newlin stands as a powerful advocate for U.S. interests, and a Champion for strengthening ties, and making a difference in the world,” he added, praising Newlin for starting an injury law practice.
Announcing Lamelas as his choice for ambassador to Argentina, he wrote on social media, “Peter is a physician, philanthropist, and an incredible businessman, best known for founding the largest Urgent Care healthcare company in Florida.”
The article went on to say, “As a child, Peter and his family fled communist Cuba, and LEGALLY immigrated to the USA, starting with nothing, and achieving the American Dream.”
Following that, Trump declared Rizzuto his choice for the position of U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, praising his professional accomplishments and calling the Conair co-founder “fantastic.”
The Senate must confirm the ambassadorships.