Potential actions from former President Donald Trump could lead to a huge win for China. This claim arises in the context of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Voice of America (VoA) news outlet. Trump, endowed with the right to hire and fire VoA’s senior executives, was accused of attempting to undermine the agency’s leadership during his tenure.
Several critics, including current and former employees of the organization, argue that Trump’s actions could potentially erode the credibility and independence of VoA. Furthermore, they suspected he was attempting to turn it into a mouthpiece for his own political agenda. Among these critics, VoA reporter Patsy Widakusawara was suspended after challenging the former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the agency. She questioned Pompeo’s appearance so soon after the January 6 Capitol riots and stressed VoA’s adherence to the principles of journalism, rather than political servitude.
Trump’s modus operandi was met with fierce resistance by the staff at VoA. In one notable instance, the journalists pushed back against a directive demanding them to broadcast a special report compiled by Mike Pack, a Trump appointee, which they argued was blatant propaganda.
This ongoing assault on VoA’s integrity is being observed warily by China. Beijing foreshadows a strategic victory in this scenario, as any loss of credibility and independence in VoA could strengthen China’s global propaganda efforts. This opinion is shared by Jamie Fly, senior fellow and senior adviser to the President at The German Marshall Fund of the United States. In his statement, Fly said, “If Americans are questioning the credibility of their own institutions, it’s a lot easier for the Chinese Communist Party to sell its message around the world.”
As a result, some people are apprehensive that Trump’s alleged assault on the news outlet may not only undermine its journalistic integrity, but could also tip the scales in China’s favor. As the next chapter for VoA unfolds, the implications will undoubtedly impact America’s global standing and reputation.
Last modified: March 31, 2025
