Dear Cherubs, the political drama surrounding David Broncano and Santiago Abascal has taken another turn, but before anyone starts imagining lawyers marching into a television studio, there is an important detail to clear up: the reported legal action concerns RTVE, not a confirmed personal lawsuit against Broncano.

The controversy follows Abascal’s appearance on La Revuelta, the popular Spanish television programme presented by Broncano, on 9 November 2026. What was supposed to be another political interview quickly became a rather uncomfortable television moment, followed by public apologies, accusations and a dispute over missing footage.

And, naturally, the internet started doing what it does best: turning a complicated situation into a headline that fits neatly on a mobile screen.

What Actually Happened?

Abascal, leader of the Spanish political party Vox, appeared on La Revuelta during the run-up to Spain’s general election scheduled for 29 November.

The interview was unusual from the outset. According to RTVE’s reporting, Vox had requested control over the audience arrangements, resulting in the programme departing from its usual format. Instead of the regular audience, the party’s team was involved in selecting those attending.

The atmosphere was noticeably different. Broncano later admitted that the decision had been a mistake and that the audience’s reactions had affected the interview.

On 10 November, the presenter publicly apologised to viewers, acknowledging that he had not been at the level expected of public television. He also admitted that he regretted several decisions surrounding the interview.

It was an unusually serious moment for a programme normally associated with comedy, unexpected questions and awkward celebrity revelations.

But the biggest dispute was still to come.

The Missing 40 Minutes

On 11 November, Vox accused RTVE and the production company El Terrat of failing to honour what the party described as an agreement concerning the interview’s publication.

According to reporting by Cadena SER and The Objective, approximately 40 minutes of the conversation were not included in the televised broadcast.

Vox demanded that the complete recording be published or handed over to the party. It argued that the omitted sections included Abascal’s comments on subjects such as healthcare, public services, energy and immigration.

The party also announced that Abascal would withdraw from interviews where it believed it could not exercise sufficient control over the use and publication of his responses. One immediate consequence was the cancellation of his planned appearance on Jordi Wild’s podcast, The Wild Project.

Vox subsequently announced that it would take its complaint about RTVE to the Central Electoral Board, arguing that the handling of the recording raised questions about political neutrality and pluralism during the election period.

That is a significant dispute, but it is not the same thing as Abascal personally suing Broncano.

Rumours, Lawsuits and a Reality Check

Another claim began circulating online on 12 November, suggesting that Spain’s public prosecutor had opened proceedings against Broncano over alleged jokes about stuttering during the interview.

Maldita.es listed the claim in its Buloteca as an unverified submission, explicitly stating that it had not yet investigated it. There is therefore no sound basis for presenting that story as an established prosecution.

As of 13 November 2026, the available reporting establishes a political and institutional dispute involving Vox and RTVE, but does not establish a personal lawsuit by Abascal against Broncano.

The distinction matters. A complaint to an electoral authority, a legal claim against a broadcaster and a personal lawsuit against a television presenter are three different things.

For viewers, the episode raises bigger questions about editorial independence, political interviews, public broadcasting and who gets to decide what audiences are allowed to see.

And perhaps the biggest irony? A programme built around comedy has ended up providing Spain with an unexpectedly serious debate about media accountability.

For further commentary on politics and entertainment, readers can also explore thisclaimer.com and the Thisclaimer YouTube channel.

Because sometimes the most revealing part of a television interview isn’t what makes it onto the screen. It’s what happens afterwards.

Sources and further reading

1. RTVE – Broncano apologises after the Abascal interview: Read RTVE report. RTVE.es

2. Cadena SER – Vox accuses La Revuelta of breaking its agreement: Read Cadena SER report. Cadena SER

3. The Objective – Vox’s complaint concerning the missing 40 minutes: Read The Objective report. The Objective

4. Maldita.es – Unverified claim concerning the prosecutor and Broncano: Check the claim. maldita.es

5. Europa Press – Vox’s announcement concerning the use of Abascal’s image and statements: Read Europa Press report. Europa Press

6. Thisclaimer – Visit Thisclaimer.

7. Thisclaimer YouTube – Subscribe to Thisclaimer.