After Univision announced it would no longer air Donald Trump’s Miss USA pageant next month, NBC released a statement about its media partner: “Donald Trump’s opinions 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.”
NBC has many business ties with the presidential candidate. Along with Trump, NBC Universal co-owns the Miss Universe organization, which produces the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. NBC also airs Trump’s Apprentice series. Earlier this year, Celebrity Apprentice was renewed for a 15th season. The network is currently reconsidering whether Trump will still star in the new season of the show, since the FCC requires that networks give equal screen time for presidential candidates.
Earlier today, Univision had announced it would no longer work with Trump nor air Trump’s annual Miss USA pageant next month, feeling he had made “insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants” earlier this month when he announced he was running for president.
“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” Trump had said. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
“At Univision, we see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country,” Univision said in a statement. “We will not be airing the Miss USA pageant on July 12th or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization.”
Trump took to Twitter to discuss Univision’s decision:
Mexican gov doesn’t want me talking about terrible border situation & horrible trade deals. Forcing Univision to get me to stop- no way!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2015
Univision wants to back out of signed @MissUniverse contract because I exposed the terrible trade deals that the U.S. makes with Mexico.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2015
Trump’s lawyer told Reuters that they will sue Univision for dropping the pageant. “We intend to pursue all legal rights and remedies available to Mr. Trump pursuant to the terms of the license agreement as well as a defamation case against Univision,” lawyer Michael Cohen said. “The lawsuit is going to be for hundreds of millions of dollars.”
