NBCUniversal has given in to the pressure being mounted upon them from several Hispanic groups over derogatory comments made by presidential candidate Donald Trump during his June 16 announcement event, and consequently will be severing its business ties to him.
During his presidential announcement speech, the real estate magnate said:
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. …. 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.”
The Miss USA pageant, scheduled for July 12 and the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled for next January – both pageants until now jointly owned by NBC and Trump – will no longer air on the network!
“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values,” the company said in a statement on Monday. “Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump.”
Trump while speaking to reporters after a campaign event in Chicago said he had enjoyed a “great” relationship with NBC but would not back down on his views about immigration. Trump also told CNN correspondent Athena Jones that he may sue NBC.
Then, in a statement a few minutes later, he elaborated:
“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.”
Trump also invoked NBC’s suspended anchorman: “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.”
Source: NBC News
