Actress, producer and entrepreneur Eva Longoria isn’t one to mince words, considering she’s long been an outspoken champion for Latino representation in mainstream media. So it’s no surprise that when the Mexican-American activist shared her personal and professional insights with some 250 movers and shakers at the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) summit, she weighed in on Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant views in the process.
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“Everyone’s been coming to me to comment on [Donald Trump’s statements],” she said at a signature lunch, Friday (June 26). “But I refuse to comment on it. I think what he doesn’t understand and what people don’t understand is words create emotional poison. Hitler moved a nation with words. Just words. And so you have to expect this backlash if you say something like that. You must expect a backlash because it’s struck a chord in our community that touched our emotions so deep, that I don’t want to contribute to that poison being spread. Because if I contribute, then it’s just going to bring more attention to the original comments.”
During her keynote at the 16th annual media summit this past weekend, a conversation moderated by E!’s Marc Malkin, Longoria also discussed using acting as a vehicle for her philanthropic efforts and the need for Hispanics to continue climbing the ranks as media gatekeepers.
The socially-conscious director is one of many Latin voices now standing in solidarity with Mexicans following Trump’s hate speech. Hollywood stars like Roselyn Sanchez, and music notables such as J Balvin, have all opted out of the Miss USA Pageant (an event with ties to Trump’s organization).
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