Donald Trump has fired back at NBC after the network announced Monday it will cut all ties with the billionaire over his controversial statements about Mexican immigrants. The Apprentice star and presidential candidate calls NBC “weak” and “foolish,” and threatens legal action for violation of its Miss USA/Miss Universe contract.
Donald Trump is not backing down regarding his comments about illegal immigrants. His official response to NBC’s decision states, he “stands by his statements on illegal immigration, which are accurate.” He goes on to blame the network and others trying to be “politically correct” for our country being in “serious trouble.”
Trump goes on to blast NBC for supporting “lying” news anchor Brian Williams, but not those who “tell it like it is.”
“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.”
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NBC released its own statement earlier Monday. The network, which co-owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants with Trump, and also aired The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice , faced tremendous pressure over the weekend to end its relationship with the business mogul.
“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values. Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald 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.”
Last week, Spanish-language broadcaster, Univision, announced it would not air the upcoming Miss USA Pageant due to Trump’s insulting remarks about immigrants. Univision had just signed a long-term deal with the Trump Organization earlier this year. The Donald threatened legal action against Univision for breaking the contract. He also ordered anyone associated with the organization to not step foot on any of his properties , as reported by the Inquisitr .
As of now, it’s unclear if any network will air the event. Several contestants have also dropped out of the pageant after being insulted by the comments. As for NBC dumping the reality star turned presidential hopeful; Donald Trump said he is the one who cut ties because he had to since his “view on immigration is much different than the people at NBC,” according to Hollywood Reporter . He claims NBC didn’t want him to run for president because they wanted him to continue to do The Apprentice .
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