Exclusive Leak: Radio Free Europe President Slams Kari Lake’s “Depraved" Leadership as Trump Admin Moves to Shut Down International Broadcaster

In a leaked internal call obtained exclusively by Project Veritas, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President Steven Capus delivered a blistering rebuke of Kari Lake, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), accusing her of “depraved management” and a lack of respect for the organization. The May 12, 2025, staff meeting recording reveals Capus’ frustration as the Trump administration moves to defund RFE/RL, a U.S.-funded broadcaster reaching 47 million people across 27 languages, prompting a lawsuit to sustain its operations.

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Project Veritas received a tip about growing tensions among RFE/RL, Voice of America (VOA), and USAGM. A source provided a recording of Capus addressing employees, expressing frustration over the administration’s plan to close the broadcaster, as directed by a March 2025 executive order that has already triggered layoffs across the networks.

Kari Lake, appointed in March 2025, has publicly labeled RFE/RL and other USAGM-funded broadcasters as “corrupt,” accusing them of promoting narratives misaligned with U.S. interests. She has claimed RFE/RL’s reporting undermines American foreign policy by amplifying anti-U.S. sentiments, advocating for taxpayer funds to support more patriotic media.

Capus expressed frustration with Lake’s leadership, stating, “She has no idea and no respect for this organization, and I find that appalling.”

He criticized her for prioritizing “political talking points on cable TV shows” over her responsibilities, adding, “You didn’t take on the job to just stand up and then disappear.” Capus also highlighted the administration’s refusal to release congressionally appropriated funds, calling it “gross” and urging USAGM to “get on the right side of history.”

While proponents view RFE/RL as a vital tool of U.S. soft power, Lake recently sent Congress a letter outlining a drastic reduction-in-force plan to slash most of RFE/RL’s roughly 800 remaining full-time employees, reducing the entire USAGM media agency down to 81 employees. Additionally, Lake struck a deal last month with One America News (OAN) to provide content for Voice of America, a move Capus referenced on the leaked call, citing Lake’s earlier pledge against turning VOA into “Trump TV” and urging her to “stay true to her promise.”

Despite the turmoil, there are signs of resistance. Diane Zeleny, VP and Head of External Affairs for RFE can be heard on the call noting “green shoots sprouting on the Hill,” indicating some Republicans are pushing back against the administration’s actions, potentially viewing the funding cuts as an impoundment of Congressionally appropriated funds.

Capus, reflecting on his initial openness to Lake’s nomination, said, “I sat in this very chair and said I was going to keep an open mind… Enough is enough.”

RFE/RL continues its fight for survival in its ongoing lawsuit against the Trump Administration, with Capus emphasizing, “We’re trying our absolute best to survive.”

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