NBC Universal – under pressured from Hispanic groups – is cutting ties with GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The Miss USA pageant was scheduled for July 12, but will no longer air on NBC after the network decided to sever its business relations with Trump – who owns the pageant – following his statements on the southern border and illegal immigrants during his announcement speech this month.
“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values,” the company said, according to CNN. “Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump.”
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best… They’re sending people who have lots of problems,” Trump said during his formal announcement speech in New York City. “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”
“These comments caused a firestorm and widespread condemnations, leading Univision to end a five-year contract to air Miss USA and Miss Universe after only five months,” CNN reported.
NBC originally said Trump’s statements during his speech, “do not represent those of NBC, and we do not agree with his positions on a number of issues, including his recent comments on immigration.”
However, now – like Univsion – NBC will not broadcast the Miss USA pageant.