Univision is being criticized by our communities due to a controversial interview featuring former President Donald Trump. Critics are calling for a boycott of the Spanish-language network, arguing that the interview portrayed Trump in a more favorable and “friendly” light than ever before. The interview occurred at his Mar-a-Lago residence and was conducted by Enrique Acevedo, the most-watched news anchor on terrestrial television in Mexico.
According to supporters of the boycott, Acevedo did not challenge Trump on numerous falsehoods during the interview. Additionally, Acevedo failed to confront Trump on his policies and positions that have directly impacted the lives of Latine people, such as immigration reform, DACA, or his stance on ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.
Furthermore, the network is accused of pulling current President Joe Biden’s campaign advertisements in Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Florida, which were supposed to air during Trump’s interview. Reports also indicate that Univision canceled an interview with Maca Casado, the Hispanic Media Director for the Biden team, which was scheduled to air after Trump’s interview.
Well-known figures from our communities, including political commentator Ana Navarro and comedian/actor John Leguizamo, have turned to social media to endorse the boycott of Univision. Navarro explained her reasoning, stating: “Watching the most influential network in the Latino community — Univision — giving this individual an unchallenged one-hour platform… Trump made references to his associates from Univision executives who were present during the interview. This has raised numerous concerns.”
Leguizamo also utilized social media to criticize Univision,Mentioning that he had the inclination to do so because “Univision is transforming into MagaVision.”
“I’m not demanding the exclusion of Trump, I just desire impartiality, parity, and fairness,” he conveyed. “I want them to broadcast all advertisements and genuinely function as a network.” Leguizamo then restated the same viewpoint in Spanish.
In the wake of the heated interview, Univision’s most prominent news anchor, León Krauze, departed from the network, prompting many to speculate that his departure was connected to Univision’s management of the Trump interview.
“After an enriching thirteen years, my time with Univision Noticias concluded yesterday. It has been an immense privilege and honor to be part of this outstanding assembly of journalism experts,” Krauze expressed on X, “My unwavering commitment, past, present, and future, is to journalism that amplifies the voices and illuminates the narratives of those who often remain unheard and unseen. That will continue to be my guiding principle.”