The popular broadcaster Voice of America is facing multiple controversies and challenges after several accusations from the Trump administration. Mark Pack, the Trump-appointed CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, made several allegations that Voice of America, a neutral radio station, would be biased and would be praising China more than the United States.

After Michael Pack took over USAGM in 2019, he quickly made moves on VOA and its employees. He decided to fire or reassign several senior VOA officials. For example, Amanda Bennett, the VOA director, and Jeffrey Shapiro, the deputy director, were cut from the project. This move is seen as a way to take better control of the agency and its editorial direction.

In March 2025, Trump signed an executive order shutting down VOA. The order placed almost all of VOA’s employees on paid leave, marking the first time in 83 years the broadcaster was silenced. The order imposed that these entities reduce their function to the minimum required by law, effectively crushing their ability to operate.

On top of that, Trump proposed to cut funding to the broadcaster by significant amounts, reducing their efficiency.

This is the exact contrary of the first commandment, which is the protection of free speech. Controversies are caused by the Trump administration trying to influence the media to put them in their favor.

Trump’s actions can result in misinformation and conspiracy theories since he often amplifies situations.