President Trump Orders Voice of America to Shut Up… for Good

Source: YouTube

Voice of America (VOA) played a significant role in global journalism since its founding in 1942. Initially created to counter Nazi propaganda, the US-backed broadcaster expanded its reach during the Cold War, providing an alternative to Soviet-controlled media. Over time, however, many conservatives argued that it drifted from its original mission and instead became a woke propaganda machine. In response, President Donald Trump issued an executive order withholding its funding and effectively shutting down VOA along with other government-funded outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. Supporters of the decision praised it as a long-overdue correction, while critics saw it as a blow to US influence.

The Role of Voice of America in US Foreign Policy

VOA began as a radio service designed to combat misinformation during World War II. Its first broadcast, delivered in German, declared, “The news may be good. The news may be bad. But we shall tell you the truth.” Over the decades, VOA and its sister organizations, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, played a vital role in delivering uncensored news to those living under oppressive regimes.

During the Cold War, VOA became a tool of American soft power, broadcasting into the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It provided an alternative to communist propaganda, exposed human rights abuses, and gave audiences access to Western culture. Figures like Poland’s Lech Wałęsa and Czech leader Václav Havel credited VOA with keeping the spirit of democracy alive in their countries.

President Trump’s Complaints Against Voice of America

Trump’s criticisms of VOA date back to his first term, when he accused the broadcaster of spreading “fake news” and promoting a “radical left agenda.” His administration’s 2025 “Project 2025” plan called for sweeping reforms, arguing that the network had strayed from its original mission and had become a mouthpiece for globalist and liberal narratives. Conservative figures, including Elon Musk, dismissed it as a waste of taxpayer money, with Musk calling it “radical left crazy people talking to themselves.”

The decision to eliminate VOA and its parent agency, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), came through an executive order on March 14, 2025. Trump justified the move by stating, “Taxpayers should not be funding propaganda that works against America’s interests.” The immediate impact was the suspension of broadcasts in 48 languages and the placement of all 1,300 staff members on paid leave.

What Led to Voice of America’s Shutdown?

Several incidents seem to have pushed Trump toward the decision to close VOA. His administration viewed the broadcaster’s coverage of China, Iran, and Russia as insufficiently aligned with his foreign policy goals. In particular, stories highlighting Chinese human rights abuses and Russian political repression drew sharp criticism from within the White House. Trump also reportedly took issue with VOA’s coverage of his presidency, claiming it echoed mainstream media outlets like CNN and The Washington Post.

Another factor was the appointment of Kari Lake, a Trump loyalist, as a special adviser to USAGM. Initially, Lake suggested reforming VOA rather than shutting it down, but she later called the agency a “bureaucratic mess” and eventually backed defunding the agency. Her shift in stance aligned with Trump’s broader effort to slash federal spending on agencies he saw as unnecessary or politically hostile.

A Win for Fiscal Conservatives or A Loss for US Influence?

Supporters of the move argue that shutting down Voice of America was necessary. They claim that in a world dominated by independent media, VOA had outlived its usefulness and had become an ideological tool rather than an objective news source. The Trump administration’s stance was that taxpayer money should not be used to fund content that does not explicitly advance US interests.

However, critics argue that the decision weakens the United States’ ability to counter foreign propaganda. For decades, VOA provided independent journalism to countries where press freedom was restricted. In places like China, Iran, and Cuba, it served as one of the few reliable sources of unbiased news.

Meanwhile, some foreign countries welcomed the shutdown. Russian state media celebrated the move, with RT’s editor-in-chief remarking, “We couldn’t shut them down, but America did it for us.” Chinese media outlets called the decision “a long-overdue correction to US hypocrisy on press freedom.”

Do you agree with Trump’s decision to shut down Voice of America? Tell us what you think!

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