Univision dumps Trump and Miss Universe

The Miss Universe Pageant

US Spanish-language broadcaster Univision has cancelled its planned airing of the Miss USA pageant and terminated its relationship with the event’s part-owner, Donald Trump, after he made controversial comments about Mexican immigrants.

Trump immediately reacted, saying the TV deal with Univision was “iron clad”. He now intends to sue Univision, according the Politico blog.

Univision issued a statement yesterday saying it was ending its “business relationship with the Miss Universe Organization, which is part-owned by Donald J. Trump, based on his recent, insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants”.

“At Univision, we see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country. We will not be airing the Miss USA Pageant on July 12 or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization.”

Trump, a divisive figure in American society, is currently making a run for president in the US, and his statements about Mexican immigrants to the US have had inflammatory result.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” said the entrepreneur and front man for the US version of The Apprentice. “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.”

He reacted furiously to Univision dropping the Miss USA event and terminating its dealings with his firms. He told the On Media blog that Univision is defaulting on an iron clad US$13.5 million deal with Miss Universe and is being put under pressure by Mexican authorities.

Trump tweeted: “Univision wants to back out of signed @MissUniverse contract because I exposed the terrible trade deals that the U.S. makes with Mexico.” In a later tweet he added: “I love Mexico but not the unfair trade deals that the US so stupidly makes with them. Really bad for US jobs, only good for Mexico.”

Univision, meanwhile, said that its news units will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of Miss USA and, where applicable in relation to the event, Trump.