Trump Urges Google to Restore Univision on YouTube TV Ahead of U.S. Midterm Elections
President Donald Trump has publicly called on Google to restore Univision to the YouTube TV platform, describing the Spanish-language network as a “vital political tool” for Republicans ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
Univision, the largest Spanish-language broadcaster in the United States, was removed from YouTube TV nearly a week ago after contract negotiations between YouTube and TelevisaUnivision broke down. The dispute has left millions of Hispanic viewers without access to the channel on the streaming service, triggering both political and corporate reactions.
Trump Calls for ‘Fairness’ and Political Balance
In a post on Truth Social Saturday night, Trump wrote, “Having the leading Spanish-language broadcaster blacked out on YouTube TV is VERY BAD for Republicans in the upcoming Midterms.”
The former president then urged Google — which owns YouTube — to act swiftly, saying, “For the purpose of FAIRNESS, please let Univision back!”
Trump’s comments underscore his belief that Univision plays a crucial role in Republican outreach to Hispanic voters, a demographic that has grown increasingly influential in U.S. elections. His post also reflects his ongoing pattern of publicly pressuring major media and tech companies when he believes their decisions carry political implications.
YouTube Responds to Trump’s Pressure
In response to Trump’s post, YouTube issued a statement to CNN, confirming that negotiations with TelevisaUnivision are ongoing.
“We remain open to negotiating an agreement that reflects their performance on YouTube TV,” a YouTube spokesperson said. “Until then, their content remains unavailable on YouTube TV.”
Carriage disputes like this are common in the media industry, often revolving around fees and revenue-sharing terms. However, this particular disagreement has taken on a political dimension due to Univision’s prominence within the Hispanic community and Trump’s vocal involvement.
Univision Thanks Trump for His Support
Following Trump’s post, TelevisaUnivision CEO Daniel Alegre publicly thanked the former president for recognizing the network’s importance.
“Thank you very much President Trump for recognizing the impact of Univision and the importance of Hispanics,” Alegre wrote on social media. “We take pride in Univision representing the voice of Hispanic America. It is our priority to bring Univision back to YouTube TV.”
Alegre’s remarks highlight Univision’s strategy of appealing to both sides of the political spectrum while maintaining its position as a major influence among Hispanic viewers.
Dispute Over Carriage Terms and Viewership
According to YouTube, the breakdown in talks with TelevisaUnivision stems from what it describes as “unrealistic demands” from the broadcaster.
A YouTube spokesperson noted that while TelevisaUnivision generates substantial advertising revenue through its free-to-watch channels on YouTube, its presence on YouTube TV, a paid subscription service, is relatively small.
“TelevisaUnivision has over 160 million subscribers and billions of views across YouTube, where they generate ad revenue from their content,” the spokesperson explained. “However, on our paid live TV service, YouTube TV, they only represent a tiny fraction of overall viewing.”
Despite this, Univision maintains that its inclusion on YouTube TV is essential for Hispanic audiences, particularly as traditional cable subscriptions continue to decline.
Trump’s Personal Connection to Univision
Trump’s push for Univision’s reinstatement appears to go beyond general political strategy — it’s also personal.
“They were so good to me with their highest-rated-ever political special,” Trump wrote in his post. “I set a Republican record in Hispanic voting.”
During his presidency, Trump’s relationship with Univision underwent a notable transformation. While the network had once been sharply critical of him — particularly during his 2016 campaign — in recent years, it has adopted a more neutral and business-oriented stance toward the former president.
Observers suggest that Univision’s corporate leadership, following its merger with Mexico’s Televisa, has steered the network toward a more centrist editorial tone, seeking to broaden its audience base and maintain access to influential political figures on both sides.
Timing Linked to YouTube’s Settlement with Trump
The timing of Trump’s message to YouTube also drew attention. It came just days after the platform reached a settlement agreement with Trump over a lawsuit filed following his suspension from major social media platforms in early 2021.
That suspension came in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot, which led several major platforms — including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube — to ban Trump for allegedly inciting violence.
Under the recent settlement, YouTube agreed to pay $22 million to the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall, which supports the restoration and preservation of landmarks in Washington, D.C. According to court filings, the funds will go toward the construction of the White House State Ballroom.
While the settlement officially resolved Trump’s lawsuit against YouTube, his latest remarks suggest the relationship between the two parties remains complicated — a mix of confrontation and mutual influence.
The Broader Political and Media Impact
The clash over Univision’s presence on YouTube TV has broader implications for media access, political messaging, and minority outreach ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
For Republicans, Univision’s audience represents a vital bridge to Hispanic voters, one of the fastest-growing and most influential demographics in the United States.
“Univision reaches millions of Hispanic Americans every day,” said political analyst Maria Torres. “Losing access on YouTube TV limits the network’s visibility in an era where streaming has overtaken traditional cable. That can impact political messaging on both sides.”
For YouTube, the dispute highlights the growing tension between content platforms and broadcasters as the streaming economy matures. Networks are increasingly demanding higher fees, while platforms argue that digital viewership doesn’t justify traditional TV pricing models.
What Happens Next?
Negotiations between YouTube and TelevisaUnivision are expected to continue in the coming weeks, though neither side has confirmed a timeline for resolution.
Analysts predict that both parties have strong incentives to strike a deal. YouTube TV benefits from offering a comprehensive channel lineup, while Univision needs access to streaming audiences to remain competitive as viewership habits evolve.
Meanwhile, Trump’s public involvement ensures the issue will stay in the political spotlight — especially as Republicans ramp up outreach efforts to Hispanic communities before the next election cycle.