Univision will not fact check Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump during their upcoming town hall events. The town halls are set to be moderated by Enrique Acevedo, the anchor of Televisa’s main nightly newscast. Instead of fact checking in real time, Univision plans to fact check the candidates after the broadcasts during a special program called “Después de las respuestas.” While there will be no live fact checks during the town halls, it is possible that Acevedo may correct the record on stage if necessary.
The decision not to fact check live has drawn criticism, particularly in light of Acevedo’s previous interview with Trump, which was seen as too soft and lacking in fact checks. Despite this, the fact checking decision was not a condition for either candidate’s participation. Fact checking has become a contentious issue during the 2024 election, with complaints from Trump and his running mate Senator J.D. Vance about moderators focusing on fact checking and challenging Republican statements.
Univision’s decision not to fact check live during the town halls has raised concerns among former staffers who worry that false claims will go unchallenged. However, a senior executive at Univision defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of the town halls as a platform for Latino voters to interact with the candidates. Univision is a key player in reaching Hispanic voters and has a history of challenging Trump, particularly over what has been perceived as racist language and derogatory statements about Mexican immigrants.
The town halls hosted by Univision may be one of the final opportunities for voters to question and challenge both candidates, as Trump has refused to participate in further debates and Harris recently agreed to a CNN town hall. Despite the lack of live fact checking, Univision believes that the format of the town halls provides a valuable opportunity for Latino voters to engage with the candidates in a meaningful way. The network views the town halls as an important platform for fostering critical dialogue between voters and candidates.
Overall, Univision’s decision not to fact check live during the town halls of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has sparked mixed reactions. While some criticize the lack of real-time fact checking, others defend the decision as a way to prioritize voter-candidate interactions. As the town halls approach, there is anticipation about how the candidates will address key issues and how voters will engage with their responses. Ultimately, these town halls may play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions and influencing decision-making ahead of the 2024 election.
