Updated at 3:45 p.m. ET
NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Donald Trump following comments Trump made about Mexican immigrants. Trump’s controversial remarks came as he was announcing his bid for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.
NBC said in a statement that:
“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values. Due to the recent derogatory statements by Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump.
“To that end, the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, which are part of a joint venture between NBC and Trump, will no longer air on NBC.
“In addition, as Mr. Trump has already indicated, he will not be participating in ‘The Apprentice’ on NBC.
” ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ is licensed from Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group and that relationship will continue.”
For his part, Trump says he stands by his recent comments, according to a statement from The Trump Organization. It says, “NBC is weak, and like everybody else is trying to be politically correct — that is why our country is in serious trouble.”
Trump says in the statement:
” ‘If NBC is so weak and so foolish to not understand the serious illegal immigration problem in the United States, coupled with the horrendous and unfair trade deals we are making with Mexico, then their contract violating closure of Miss Universe/Miss USA will be determined in court. Furthermore, they will stand behind lying Brian Williams, but won’t stand behind people that tell it like it is, as unpleasant as that may be.’ ”
Last week, the Spanish-language TV network Univision cancelled its Miss USA and Miss Universe programming in response to Trump’s comments during his presidential announcement. NPR’s Greg Allen reported last week on how Trump’s remarks have upset many Hispanics:
” ‘When do we beat Mexico at the border?’ Trump said during his lengthy presidential announcement speech at Trump Tower in New York. ‘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.’
“Trump’s main theme [during his announcement speech] was that the country is in serious trouble. He talked about the need for America to begin beating China in trade and Japan in manufacturing.
“But it was Trump’s comments about immigrants from Mexico that have earned him the anger of many Hispanics.”
And now it has cost him the loss of two business ties.
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