‘He is happy with his choice’: Former co-host insists Mario Lopez is a MAGA supporter

Mario Lopez is pushing back against claims that he is a supporter of President Donald Trump, saying he has no interest in politics and accusing critics of spreading misinformation.

According to a BuzzFeed report from late June, Lopez was labeled a "MAGA" supporter in a social media video that pointed to several pieces of evidence. The video noted that Lopez had once posted in support of a UFC fight held on the White House lawn, that he follows Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and the official POTUS account on social media, and that he sat down for a 2016 interview with Trump on the entertainment news show "Extra" during Trump's first presidential campaign.

Lopez responded to the video with a comment that was later deleted, in which he denied being a political supporter of the president. He also disputed the suggestion that he had attended the UFC event at the White House, writing: "You need to get your facts straight. I've interviewed Trump many times when he was on 'The Apprentice.' And I didn't attend the White House event. I was in DC shooting a PrimeTime special at the time for CBS celebrating a civics competition for kids."

Lopez went on to explain that his original post about the UFC fight was not about Trump, but about his friendship with UFC CEO Dana White. He said he has little use for political debate in general.

"Like I said, I'm not a political person. Too divisive. I could care less about politics. I care about my family, my community, my culture, and my faith. God bless you and have a nice day, but please don't spread misinformation," he wrote.

The dispute drew additional attention this week when Tanika Ray, who previously co-hosted "Extra" alongside Lopez, weighed in on the original BuzzFeed report. Ray said she could confirm that Lopez does indeed support Trump.

"It's unfortunate but glad the truth is out maybe it will encourage him to think about it. But then again. He's a capitalist first," Ray wrote in one comment.

In a follow-up, she added: "He is Mexican and maga and though it's really confusing to me, it's his life. He is happy with his choice. I pray people wake up bc this isn't it."

Lopez, best known for his role as A.C. Slater on "Saved by the Bell," has spent most of his public career avoiding political controversy. He has been more open about his Christian faith and how it intersects with his work in Hollywood. During his 2016 sit-down with Trump, Lopez offered a glimpse into his own views, describing himself as "Latino, happen to also be conservative, a child of Mexican immigrants."

Representatives for Lopez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.