TV host Mario Lopez has reportedly denied supporting President Donald Trump, stating he is "not a political person" and that politics are "too divisive."
The denial came in a now-deleted Instagram comment, according to a Buzzfeed report. Lopez was labeled a "MAGA" supporter in a video that highlighted past social media activity, including following Trump and his son Donald Trump Jr., and a previous interview with Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Lopez, in his comment, stated that his past engagement with Trump was for professional reasons. He explained that he had interviewed Trump multiple times during "The Apprentice" and that a separate instance involving a UFC event on the White House lawn was to support his friend, UFC CEO Dana White. Lopez asserted he was in Washington D.C. for a civics competition special for CBS at the time and did not attend the White House event.
"I care about my family, my community, my culture, and my faith," Lopez wrote, according to the report. "God bless you and have a nice day, but please don’t spread misinformation."
However, Tanika Ray, a former co-host of "Extra" with Lopez, commented on the report, claiming she could "confirm this is true" that Lopez is a MAGA supporter. In a subsequent comment, Ray wrote, "He is Mexican and maga and though it's really confusing to me, it's his life. He is happy with his choice."
Lopez, who is of Mexican descent and described himself as "Latino, happen to also be conservative, a child of Mexican immigrants" in a 2016 interview, has largely maintained a public stance of remaining apolitical while also sharing his Christian faith.