USAGM 'Rotten to Core': Kari Lake Exposes Chinese Influence at VOA

Paul Riverbank, 6/26/2025Kari Lake alleges Chinese influence at Voice of America amid controversial agency overhaul.

Kari Lake's testimony before the House committee wasn't just another bureaucratic briefing – it was a scathing indictment of an agency she claims has lost its way. "This place is rotten to the core," she declared, while outlining plans that would fundamentally reshape how America speaks to the world.

I've spent considerable time analyzing USAGM's operations, and the numbers are striking. The agency's $950 million budget dwarfs commercial broadcasters like iHeartMedia, which operates on roughly a tenth of that amount. Lake's team has already eliminated 1,400 positions since March – an 85% reduction that's sent shockwaves through the international broadcasting community.

But here's where things get complicated. While Lake points to Chinese Communist Party influence and resistance to financial audits, Democrats see something else entirely. Rep. Madeleine Dean didn't hold back, labeling Lake "a propaganda machine for the Trump administration." The truth, as often happens in Washington, likely lies somewhere in between.

What's particularly fascinating is how this debate reflects broader questions about American soft power in the 21st century. When Voice of America launched during World War II, shortwave radio was cutting-edge technology. Today, in an era of TikTok and Twitter, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

The financial oversight issues can't be ignored. Lake's claim that grantee organizations stonewalled basic auditing of nearly $400 million in taxpayer funds deserves serious scrutiny. I've seen similar patterns in other government agencies, but the scale here is remarkable.

President Trump's intervention via Truth Social – calling VOA a "TOTAL, LEFTWING DISASTER" – adds another layer of complexity to an already heated situation. While presidential criticism of media organizations isn't new, the intensity of this assault on a government-funded broadcaster raises unique concerns.

Looking ahead to 2026, Lake's plan to reduce USAGM to its statutory minimum represents a fundamental shift in American public diplomacy. Rep. Julie Johnson's warning about ceding soft power to adversaries deserves consideration, especially given current global tensions.

From my perspective, after covering similar reforms across multiple administrations, the key question isn't just about efficiency – it's about effectiveness. Can a "smarter, leaner" USAGM maintain America's voice in an increasingly competitive global information space? The answer may shape international broadcasting for decades to come.

The Voice of America finds itself at a crossroads, and yesterday's congressional hearing laid bare the stark choices facing American international broadcasting. As someone who's covered Washington for three decades, I've rarely witnessed such a contentious oversight session.Kari Lake's testimony before the House committee wasn't just another bureaucratic briefing – it was a scathing indictment of an agency she claims has lost its way. "This place is rotten to the core," she declared, while outlining plans that would fundamentally reshape how America speaks to the world.I've spent considerable time analyzing USAGM's operations, and the numbers are striking. The agency's $950 million budget dwarfs commercial broadcasters like iHeartMedia, which operates on roughly a tenth of that amount. Lake's team has already eliminated 1,400 positions since March – an 85% reduction that's sent shockwaves through the international broadcasting community.But here's where things get complicated. While Lake points to Chinese Communist Party influence and resistance to financial audits, Democrats see something else entirely. Rep. Madeleine Dean didn't hold back, labeling Lake "a propaganda machine for the Trump administration." The truth, as often happens in Washington, likely lies somewhere in between.What's particularly fascinating is how this debate reflects broader questions about American soft power in the 21st century. When Voice of America launched during World War II, shortwave radio was cutting-edge technology. Today, in an era of TikTok and Twitter, the landscape has shifted dramatically.The financial oversight issues can't be ignored. Lake's claim that grantee organizations stonewalled basic auditing of nearly $400 million in taxpayer funds deserves serious scrutiny. I've seen similar patterns in other government agencies, but the scale here is remarkable.President Trump's intervention via Truth Social – calling VOA a "TOTAL, LEFTWING DISASTER" – adds another layer of complexity to an already heated situation. While presidential criticism of media organizations isn't new, the intensity of this assault on a government-funded broadcaster raises unique concerns.Looking ahead to 2026, Lake's plan to reduce USAGM to its statutory minimum represents a fundamental shift in American public diplomacy. Rep. Julie Johnson's warning about ceding soft power to adversaries deserves consideration, especially given current global tensions.From my perspective, after covering similar reforms across multiple administrations, the key question isn't just about efficiency – it's about effectiveness. Can a "smarter, leaner" USAGM maintain America's voice in an increasingly competitive global information space? The answer may shape international broadcasting for decades to come.