Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Google on Saturday for removing Univision from the basic package of YouTube TV, urging the return of the channel to the platform "as a matter of fairness." On Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope that Univision, a prominent and widely-watched Hispanic network, would be reinstated on the impressive Google/YouTube platform after its removal, emphasizing that this exclusion is VERY BAD for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump noted that Univision had been favorable to him, particularly with its most-watched political special, which he claims helped him achieve a record-breaking Republican vote among Hispanics. The largest Spanish-language network in the United States accused Google of discrimination following the decision to drop its signal from the standard YouTube TV package starting September 30, 2025. This move forces users to pay an additional $15 for a special Spanish package, increasing the total monthly cost to nearly $100.
Univision views this decision as a "Hispanic tax," which economically penalizes millions of Latino households that rely on the channel for news, entertainment, and sports in their language. In an open letter, Daniel Alegre, the CEO of TelevisaUnivision, warned that this exclusion would adversely affect the Hispanic community, particularly during pivotal events such as:
- Redistricting in key states like Texas and California.
- Gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.
- The 2026 midterm elections in Florida, Georgia, and other states.
The company has launched a public campaign under the slogan "Do the Right Thing, Google," demanding the reintegration of Univision into the basic package and denouncing what they consider an abuse of market power by the tech giant.
Google's decision has sparked intense criticism among community leaders, media, and users who argue that this exclusion restricts access to Spanish-language information and jeopardizes the democratic participation of a key community in the U.S. political landscape. Univision's campaign includes full-page ads in newspapers across cities with large Latino populations such as Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas, aiming to publicly pressure Google and prevent an additional economic barrier for Latinos seeking information in their language.
The conflict has escalated politically with Trump's involvement, as he perceives this dispute as a potential threat to his party's prospects in upcoming elections.
Impact of Google's Decision on Latino Communities
Why did Google remove Univision from YouTube TV's basic package?
Google removed Univision from the basic package of YouTube TV due to undisclosed reasons, but this decision has been criticized as discriminatory by Univision, which sees it as an economic penalty on Latino households.
How is Univision responding to its removal from YouTube TV?
Univision has launched a public campaign demanding its reinstatement in the basic YouTube TV package, highlighting the negative impact on Latino communities and accusing Google of abusing its market power.
What are the broader implications of this dispute for U.S. politics?
The dispute has taken on a political dimension, with Donald Trump warning of potential negative impacts on Republican prospects in future elections if Univision is not reinstated, given its importance in mobilizing Hispanic voters.