Univision fires Karen Padin for Charlie Kirk Comments

TelevisaUnivision has dismissed Puerto Rican television executive Karen Padin, its Senior Director of Talent Strategy & Insights, after social media posts regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk circulated widely online. The move highlights the growing scrutiny on media companies over employees' online speech and comes as Univision faces criticism for its political positioning ahead of the 2026 presidential election.

In a statement sent to The Latin Times, TelevisaUnivision confirmed Padin's firing, citing violations of its social media policy

"As part of TelevisaUnivision's commitment to being a trusted source of impartial and unbiased news reporting, our social media policy requires all employees and talent to refrain from posts on social media that express partisan opinions, promote political views, or contain offensive comments. Recent social media comments made by an employee violated this policy, and the employee has been separated from the company."

Screenshots of Padin's posts began circulating on X over the weekend, showing a cartoon referencing Kirk's murder with the caption "So, was it worth it, Charlie?" along with a longer message shared on her personal account. The backlash was immediate, with conservative influencers demanding her removal.

One viral post described her as a "Senior Director of Talent Relations at Univision" and asked whether the network considered such rhetoric acceptable from its leadership.

Padin's Career at Univision

According to her LinkedIn profile, Padin had been with Univision since 2011, rising through the ranks to oversee talent strategy, casting, and consumer engagement. With more than 25 years of experience in the television industry, she played a key role in recruiting and developing on-air personalities for the network. She also led casting for some of Univision's most high-profile productions, including Mira Quién Baila, Nuestra Belleza Latina, Tu Cara Me Suena, Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Juventud, and the Latin Grammy Awards.

Her expertise extended beyond talent development into contract negotiations, marketing initiatives, and collaboration with Televisa's CEA acting school in Mexico. Padin positioned herself as an authority in reality TV casting and Hispanic media talent research. Until this weekend, she was considered one of the network's most influential behind-the-scenes executives.

Broader Context of Firings Over Kirk's Death

Padin's case is not isolated. Since Kirk's killing, several professionals across industries have lost their jobs after posting commentary online that employers deemed insensitive or offensive. High-profile cases include MSNBC commentator Mathew Dowd and Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, who said she was fired after criticizing U.S. responses to political violence, and university staff across the country who have been suspended or dismissed. The wave of firings underscores how companies are moving quickly to enforce social media policies in the face of polarized reactions to Kirk's death.

For Univision, the firing of Padin arrives at a delicate political moment. The network, which dominates Spanish-language broadcasting in the United States, has been accused by critics of aligning with former President Donald Trump as he mounts his second White House run. Reports in recent months have detailed Univision's outreach to Trump's campaign and the network's decision to grant him access that some observers say goes beyond traditional media engagement. Padin's firing may reinforce perceptions that Univision is eager to demonstrate impartiality in a volatile political climate.

The Fallout

The incident raises questions about how media companies enforce social media policies, particularly when employees are not public-facing journalists but high-level executives. While Univision stressed its commitment to neutrality, the firing also reflects broader debates over free speech in the workplace. Detractors argue that punishing employees for political expression chills open discourse, while supporters of the move insist that high-ranking executives represent the values of their companies even when posting in a personal capacity.

Padin has not issued a public statement since her termination. On social media, her accounts remain active. She did post a photo of her son on her Instagram stories with the message: "The only thing important in this life: Family."

Originally published on Latin Times