Journalist Consuelo Saavedra became a trending topic on social media this Monday following her remarks on Canal 13 regarding a lunch hosted by President Kast for former university classmates at the La Moneda Palace, according to biobiochile.cl.
During the program, Saavedra raised questions about who covered the costs of the event. “The other day he held a gathering with his former classmates, and people are already bothering him about how it was financed and whether he is allowed to do that,” the journalist noted.
She continued her reflection by questioning the boundaries of privacy within the seat of government. “But it is a good question: if you live in your office, what things can you do and what things can't you? If you live there, you have the right to do private things, but if I start getting neurotic, who pays for the electricity or the water?” Saavedra questioned.
Panel and social media reactions
During the same segment, journalist Priscilla Vargas expressed her view that the situation is under excessive scrutiny. “Everything could be questioned; I feel it is under too much of a microscope,” Vargas stated.
Meanwhile, José Luis Repenning compared the situation to the previous administration to highlight savings in infrastructure. “Let’s also acknowledge that a presidential residence is being saved. Remember President Boric's house; it had kitchens, thirteen bedrooms,” the panelist commented.
The debate at the table concluded when Iván Valenzuela clarified that the meat for the lunch was paid for by President Kast himself. In response, Repenning asked directly: “Then, where is the scandal?”
Reaction on the social network X was largely negative toward Saavedra's comments. Some users criticized the journalist's stance, calling her words disappointing and noting a decline in her professional sharpness.
Other internet users focused their criticism on the management of the presidential palace. “Just because Kast lives in La Moneda does NOT make him its owner; the palace must be used for governing and official government acts,” one user wrote on the platform.
