Massive Voice of America Layoffs Under Trump Administration
The Trump administration has executed sweeping layoffs at Voice of America (VOA), firing hundreds of journalists and crippling the U.S.-funded global broadcaster that once served as a beacon of free press worldwide.
More than 85% of VOA staff—roughly 1,400 employees since March—have lost their jobs, with 639 layoffs announced Friday. The agency now operates with fewer than 50 employees spread across VOA, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and USAGM (U.S. Agency for Global Media).
️ From Countering Propaganda to Being Gutted
VOA was established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, but has since evolved into a respected international news outlet operating in countries with restricted press freedom such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Chief National Correspondent Steve Herman described the move as a “historic act of self-sabotage,” lamenting the dismantling of 83 years of independent journalism dedicated to promoting U.S. democratic values.
Fired for Bias, Says Trump-Appointed Leadership
Kari Lake, newly appointed by President Trump to oversee VOA, stated the layoffs were necessary to “shrink the out-of-control federal bureaucracy”, citing the agency’s alleged “dysfunction, bias, and waste.”
Critics argue the purge is politically motivated, part of Trump’s broader campaign against public media and news outlets he deems left-leaning.
“It spells the death of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom,” wrote three VOA journalists in a joint statement after the firings.
Persian-Language Journalists Targeted Amid Middle East Tensions
Among those laid off were several Persian-language journalists, recalled just days earlier to cover the fallout after Israel’s attack on Iran. The group was reportedly blocked from re-entering the building after stepping outside for a break, moments after receiving their termination notices.
These reporters had played a vital role in providing uncensored news to Iranian audiences, often at personal risk.
A Broader War on Public Broadcasting?
This dramatic move follows Trump’s March executive order to eliminate VOA and USAGM “to the maximum extent permitted by law.” It also comes amid similar calls to defund NPR and PBS, two other major publicly funded media institutions.
VOA’s international bureaus—especially those under Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting—are now left uncertain, raising fears of growing information voids in authoritarian regimes.
What’s Next for Global Media?
As foreign governments tighten their grip on the press, the gutting of Voice of America could leave global audiences without a reliable, non-state source of news. It marks a troubling shift in the U.S.’s soft power strategy and raises urgent questions about the future of independent, taxpayer-funded journalism in a polarized political climate.
