Hours after Univision dropped the Miss USA pageant following Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants during a speech, NBC is distancing itself from the real estate mogul.
“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,” the network said in a statement obtained by TheWrap.
The presidential candidate sparked outrage during his announcement speech on June 16 for calling Mexican immigrants rapists and drug lords. Despite the anger, Trump says he has an ironclad deal with the network and is vowing to sue if Univision doesn’t air the Miss USA pageant.
Univision announced earlier Thursday that it “will not be … working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization.” The entertainment group explained that includes no longer airing the July 12 Miss USA pageant as planned.
Thus far, NBC has not made an official announcement on whether it will air the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which are partly owned by the Trump Organization.
After Trump announced his presidential run, NBC originally confirmed it will air Miss USA as scheduled, and that the Trump Organization would remain involved.
There’s no word on whether that’s changed in recent hours, even as Trump’s camp threatens to sue Univision over its decision to pull the plug.
“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,” Trump’s New York-based attorney Michael Cohen said Thursday in a statement.
NBC has also remained elusive on the future of Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” saying in a statement “We will re-evaluate Trump’s role as host of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ should it become necessary, as we are committed to this franchise.”