Univision has confirmed that they will not fact-check Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump during their respective town hall events on October 10 and October 16. The Mexican-based anchor Enrique Acevedo, who will be moderating the town halls, will instead focus on time management and highlighting the questions asked by audience members. The decision not to fact check the candidates live on stage has caused some concerns, but the network plans to fact check them following the broadcasts during a special program called “Después de las respuestas,” or “After the answers.”
While Univision publicly announced that there will be no live fact checks of the candidates, it is possible that Acevedo may quickly correct the record on stage if necessary. This decision was not a condition for any candidate’s participation in the town halls. Fact checking has been a contentious issue during the 2024 election, with complaints from Trump and his running-mate Senator J.D. Vance about moderators ganging up on Republicans for pointing out falsehoods during debates. Acevedo, who previously interviewed Trump in a softer manner, defended his approach by stating that he intentionally granted Trump ample space to express his views, as they resonated with a growing segment of the network’s viewership.
Former Univision staffers have raised concerns that claims made by the candidates may go unchallenged during the town halls. However, a senior executive from Univision defended the decision, emphasizing that fact checking will still occur after the town halls. The network views the town halls as an opportunity for Latino voters to engage directly with the candidates, providing a platform for critical dialogue that may not be available elsewhere. Univision, known for challenging Trump in the past, is seen as critical in reaching Hispanic voters and facilitating discussions between voters and candidates.
With Trump refusing to participate in further debates and backing out of a “60 Minutes” interview, the town halls may serve as one of the final forums for voters to question and challenge both candidates. Harris, on the other hand, has agreed to participate in a CNN town hall on October 23. Univision, as the dominant Spanish language broadcaster in the US, plays a crucial role in reaching Hispanic voters and providing a platform for important political discussions. The decision not to fact check the candidates live on stage has sparked debate, but the network remains committed to facilitating interactions between voters and candidates through the town hall format.
