The dismantling of the international broadcaster and other U.S. government-funded news outlets was criticized as another blow to U.S. soft power efforts.

For the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced,” Michael Abramowitz, the organization's director, said in a statement.

One nationalist influencer called it “truly gratifying.” Another said he was laughing his head off. And a state-media editorial hailed the demise of what it called the “lie factory.”