NBC Drops Donald Trump Over ‘Derogatory’ Immigrant Statements

“Celebrity Apprentice,” licensed by Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group, will continue without him

donald trump nbc apprentice
NBC

NBC has ended its business relationship with Donald Trump, citing “derogatory” statements made by the former “Apprentice” star.

The Monday statement, obtained by TheWrap, specifies that the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants — a joint venture between NBC and Trump — will no longer run on the broadcaster’s airwaves. Additionally, Trump will not be participating in the network’s reality competition, “The Celebrity Apprentice.”

However, “Celebrity Apprentice” is licensed from Mark Burnett‘s United Artists Media Group, a relationship that will continue without Trump, per NBC.

“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values,” the network’s statement began. “Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump.”

The comments, made during Trump’s presidential campaign announcement on Tuesday, included controversial observations about Mexicans, whom he said are “laughing at us, at our stupidity” over what he characterized as a weak border policy.

“When Mexico sends its people … 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 newly-minted candidate said.

Trump doubled down on his rhetoric on Sunday during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” during which he specified: “I’m not just saying Mexicans, I’m talking about people that are from all over that are killers and rapists and they’re coming into this country.”

He also reiterated his plan to, if elected president, force Mexico to fund the construction of a wall along the southern border of the United States.

Trump’s comments already prompted Univision, the network that broadcasts his Miss Universe pageant, to end its business relationship with the contest, as well as “any other projects tied to the Trump Organization” on Thursday.

The billionaire responded to the severance of ties with NBC, saying it was actually his decision to part from the network and “The Apprentice.”

“They did not want me to run. They wanted me to do “The Apprentice,” Trump said while speaking at an event in Chicago. “And now with my statements on immigration, which happen to be correct, they are going to take a different stance and that’s OK. Whatever they want to do is OK with me.”

Here is the full NBC statement:

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.”

Comments