Why Ana Navarro has enough outrage for two TV jobs and a podcast

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Recently, when political commentator Ana Navarro visited Mercado Little Spain—the food hall owned by José Andrés located near CNN’s New York studios—a seat was immediately available for her dog, a small, reddish-brown poodle named ChaCha.

I basically act as her full-time helper – I’m taking care of her all day long! She’s a really well-behaved dog and has been my companion since the start of the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. It’s been wonderful having her around.

Over the next two hours, while Navarro and a reporter enjoyed tapas, people at surrounding tables started taking pictures of them. Andrés’ daughter, Carlota, briefly stopped by to share news about her father, who is a friend of Navarro’s. Later, a young woman who spoke Spanish approached Navarro to express her gratitude. She thanked him for his support of immigrants, especially during the Trump administration’s increased deportations. Navarro himself is a political exile from Nicaragua.

Let me tell you, in today’s media landscape, it’s really tough for anyone to break through the noise. But Ana Navarro has absolutely done it. She’s become a truly recognizable face on television, and it’s largely thanks to her consistent presence on two major networks. She’s become one of those political commentators you instantly recognize, which is a real feat these days.

She co-hosts “The View,” the most popular daytime talk show, which has recently faced scrutiny from the head of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, as he targets critics of former President Trump. Additionally, she frequently appears as a panelist on CNN’s “NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” a program that gains a large audience beyond its usual viewership thanks to widely shared clips online.

Hollywood Inc.

A new interview series called “Alchemy with Anthony Mason,” featuring conversations with musicians and artists, will premiere on YouTube this Wednesday.

In February, Ana Navarro, age 54, started a new weekly podcast called “Bleep! With Ana Navarro” on iHeart. This makes her one of many media figures creating digital platforms to connect with audiences who are moving away from traditional television.

I’m completely captivated by Navarro on “Bleep!” She’s so authentically herself. It’s amazing to watch her – sometimes she’s interviewing guests, and other times she just launches into these incredible, unscripted monologues that can go on for half an hour! She records at the iHeart studios in Manhattan, and her dog, ChaCha, is always there, relaxing on a comfy pillow while Navarro works her magic.

Navarro presents her criticisms of the Trump administration in a relaxed, conversational style, like she’s chatting with friends. While she always maintains a calm demeanor, the podcast doesn’t shy away from strong language she avoids on television.

As a film and media buff, I’m really intrigued by this new project, “Bleep!” It’s giving Ana Navarro a space to really do her own thing, which feels important right now because the traditional news networks she’s been working with – like CNN – are facing a lot of uncertainty. Apparently, if Warner Bros. Discovery merges with Paramount, and the Ellison brothers take more control, things at CNN could change dramatically. It’s a potentially big shift in the media landscape, and I’m watching it closely.

Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr has asked the FCC to begin reviewing the licenses of ABC’s local television stations. He stated this request stems from an investigation into diversity practices at ABC’s parent company, Disney. However, it also follows ongoing criticism from the administration regarding ABC’s coverage of Donald Trump, particularly on the show “The View.”

Last year, Navarro became involved after Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke with her at an advertising event in New York. Discussions reportedly centered around critical comments made about Donald Trump on the show “The View.”

She said they had a frank discussion, but she wouldn’t reveal the details. She insisted no one was pressuring her, and that she simply needs to continue being honest, genuine, and well-prepared, as she always has.

ABC has formally complained to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the agency’s review of its show, “The View.” The network is questioning whether the show should be exempt from rules requiring equal airtime for political candidates – rules that are rarely enforced. ABC argues the FCC’s actions infringe on their First Amendment right to free speech.

World & Nation

Following reports of gunfire at the Washington Hilton, news crews quickly arrived, turning what was supposed to be a celebratory event into a night of reporting.

It’s easy to forget, given her current criticisms of Trump, that Ana Navarro first became a familiar face on television 14 years ago as a dedicated conservative. Jeff Zucker, CNN’s president from 2012 to 2022, noted that her change in political views is what makes her different from many other commentators.

Zucker recently described her as witty, perceptive, and a skilled writer with a strong understanding of politics. According to Zucker, she’s experienced a significant political evolution and truly grasps all sides of the political landscape.

In 1980, when she was eight years old, Navarro and her family left Nicaragua seeking safety in the U.S. after a socialist group called the Sandinista National Liberation Front came to power. Her father remained in Nicaragua to fight with the Contras, a rebel group opposing the new government during the country’s civil war.

“Reagan was taking on the Sandinistas when Bernie Sanders wasn’t,” she said.

In 1986, President Reagan signed an immigration law that allowed her to become a U.S. citizen after receiving a pardon for any past immigration violations.

Navarro grew up in Miami surrounded by Latinos who had escaped communist regimes in Cuba and other Latin American countries, which strongly influenced her political views. She built a career in Republican politics, starting with local campaigns in Miami and eventually becoming the national Hispanic chair for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Her husband, Al Cardenas, who was born in Cuba, also has deep roots in the Republican Party, having worked on Reagan’s transition team and later led the Republican Party of Florida.

In 2015, Navarro was upset when Trump announced his candidacy for president by dramatically descending the escalator in his Manhattan skyscraper. She was particularly hurt by his comments calling Mexicans “rapists and criminals.”

Hearing Donald Trump imitate a disabled journalist at a rally deeply upset Navarro, reminding her of the challenges her family faced raising her older brother, who has non-verbal autism and sometimes hurts himself. She explained, “It sparked a lot of anger and frustration, and it was something I couldn’t overlook.”

Hollywood Inc.

ABC television stations, which are owned by Disney, are facing increased attention and potential issues because of jokes made during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner that have drawn criticism.

It’s become increasingly difficult to be a Republican who opposes Trump, especially as party leaders have firmly backed him. This support was particularly strong during his successful 2024 campaign, which led to his return to the White House. For someone like Navarro, this shift has unfortunately meant losing many close, long-term friendships and professional connections.

She explained that she’s lost friendships because of her views on Donald Trump, and she’s come to terms with that. Some friends believe she’s abandoned the Republican Party, and others accuse her of being self-serving and motivated by short-term gain.

She’s known Secretary of State Marco Rubio for most of her adult life and still has his number saved in her phone, though they haven’t spoken recently. While she respects his expertise in foreign policy, she doesn’t plan to support him if he ever decides to run for president.

“Unless he was running against Satan incarnate, no, I would not go over to him,” she said.

Navarro remains calm on “NewsNight,” even when disagreements between guests and conservative commentator Scott Jennings become heated. However, she fondly remembers her lively debates with Democratic strategist Donna Brazile on CNN, which they would often follow with oysters and wine at Old Ebbitt Grill.

“It’s a completely different world than it was,” Navarro said.

Navarro is known for being direct and outspoken, a trait fostered by her father and the nuns at her Miami private school, where she continues to live. She believes those nuns were exceptionally capable, saying they had the skills to lead major corporations.

She bravely shares her own difficult life experiences to emphasize her message. She lost another brother to a heart attack at just 38 years old, and her cousin’s son was tragically killed in the 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

She stated she wouldn’t let hardship and past trauma define her life. Instead, she believes her experiences have made her strong and understanding. She strongly dislikes Donald Trump because she feels he is incapable of understanding or sharing the feelings of others.

Navarro distinguishes herself from many Democrats when it comes to foreign policy. For example, when Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, was removed from power and taken into custody by U.S. forces, Navarro – who was vacationing in Madrid – joined Venezuelan exiles in a celebratory gathering at Puerta del Sol.

Navarro anticipates reacting similarly if Trump follows through on his promises to dismantle Cuba’s communist government.

I recently spoke with an artist who, brimming with happiness, described her plans to express her joy in a wonderfully unconventional way. She told me she’s going to take a metal pan and spoon and essentially turn herself into a one-woman band, making a joyful racket – and honestly, it was infectious. It’s a simple image, but it really captured a feeling of pure, unadulterated delight.

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2026-05-10 13:32