U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) questioned the Trump administration’s decision to cut off Radio Farda while deadly protests against the regime in Iran continue with reports of thousands of deaths.
McConnell criticized the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which is led by MAGA loyalist and former Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, when he wrote on social media: “It’s been a week since the regime in Tehran blacked out the internet, and 10 months since USAGM blacked out its transmitters for Farsi-language @RadioFarda_ from @RFERL.”
Note: Radio Fardo is the Iranian branch of the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) external broadcast service that broadcasts news in Persian, 24 hours a day.
McConnell added: “What a waste of America’s tremendous capacity to share the truth. The regime is using the cover of darkness to slaughter brave Iranians who have taken to the streets. When @POTUS speaks to the Iranian people, why on earth would we limit that signal?”
It’s been a week since the regime in Tehran blacked out the internet, and 10 months since USAGM blacked out its transmitters for Farsi-language @RadioFarda_ from @RFERL. What a waste of America’s tremendous capacity to share the truth. The regime is using the cover of darkness to…
— U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (@SenMcConnell) January 15, 2026
Lake replied to McConnell: “Senator, This is blatantly false. You’re welcome to call me for clarification next time instead of spreading false information online.”
She pointed to a post she wrote earlier in the week, in which she blamed the President of RFE, Steve Capus, of not “better aligning their message with American foreign policy,” as she claimed he allegedly promised to do.
Senator,
This is blatantly false.
You’re welcome to call me for clarification next time instead of spreading false information online.
Here’s the truth
https://t.co/yb2CMDJQ0p — Kari Lake (@KariLake) January 15, 2026
Lake wrote: “Last week, I reached out to Radio Free Europe’s leadership offering additional help to further get their message into Iran. The President of Radio Free Europe, Steve Capus, agreed that we need to have a unified message so that we are not sending mixed messages to the people of Iran who are showing such bravery and courage after five decades of terror. He also agreed that RFE/RL would work to better align their message with American foreign policy. However, his team has not done so. It is USAGM’s commitment to ensure coverage is consistent with American national interests. We are standing by—ready to help—and are simply waiting for Mr. Capus to inform us that he’s made the changes he committed to.”