Kari Lake declares US Agency for Global Media is rotten to the core
- Kari Lake criticized the U.S. Agency for Global Media and the Voice of America before Congress, calling it poorly managed and influenced by foreign powers.
- She stated plans to significantly reduce the agency's operations by 2026, claiming misuse of taxpayer money.
- The testimony sparked a wider conversation on U.S. media representation and national security concerns, raising doubts about the agency's future.
On June 25, 2025, at a Congressional hearing, Kari Lake, the senior advisor overseeing the U.S. Agency for Global Media, expressed strong criticisms of the agency, labeling it 'rotten to the core.' During the session, she emphasized concerns over the agency’s management of the $950 million budget, claiming there was significant mismanagement and potential influence from Chinese interests. Lake has been vocal about plans to drastically reduce the agency's structure by 2026, which she believes would enhance efficiency and alignment with American values. Her reliance on taxpayer money further fueled her argument as she criticized the appropriation of nearly $400 million to grantees who, according to her, have not been transparent in their operations.