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Millions in Savings, Major Shakeup
The decision to sever these contracts is expected to save taxpayers approximately $53 million. Lake called the current newswire deals “expensive and unnecessary” arrangements that were greenlit by the Biden administration in 2024. The move is part of a larger effort to “streamline” USAGM and ensure it aligns with the agenda of President Donald Trump.
“Today, I started the process of terminating the agency’s contracts with the Associated Press, Reuters, & the Agence France-Presse. This will save taxpayers about 53 million dollars. The purpose of our agency is to tell the American story. We don’t need to outsource that responsibility to anyone else,” Lake posted on social media alongside an interview with Newsmax.
Shifting the Focus of U.S. Media Abroad
VOA has long relied on external reporting to fill coverage gaps, particularly in regions where U.S. journalists are scarce. However, Lake and her team have reportedly directed staff to stop using wire service material, signaling a new editorial direction. The shift aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push to reclaim control of government-funded media and move away from outsourcing.
The Associated Press, which has clashed with Trump officials for years, has been a particular target of criticism. The battle escalated earlier this year when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revoked the AP’s press credentials after the outlet refused to use the term “Gulf of America” in its reporting. A federal judge later ruled in favor of the administration, stating the AP had failed to prove any “irreparable harm” from its removal.
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Lake’s Fight Against Bureaucratic Waste
Lake’s appointment to USAGM in March was seen as a major win for conservatives who believe the agency has strayed too far from its original mission. She has wasted no time in cutting programs that she sees as bloated or misaligned with Trump’s policies. Her latest move follows the administration’s decision to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, a taxpayer-funded arm that had been funneling money into controversial initiatives overseas.
This latest shake-up proves that under Trump, the fight against what he calls “fake news” is far from over. With Lake at the helm of USAGM, expect more major changes to how America’s story is told—without relying on media outlets that conservatives say have long abandoned the truth.
