NBC dumps Trump

NBC has ditched outspoken businessman, politician and star of The Apprentice Donald Trump following his recent comments about Mexican immigrants.

Trump: Ditched by NBC

The US network has cut ties with the controversial figure and will no longer be airing the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, events that are co-owned by Trump.

“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,” the network said.

The decision comes after more than 200,000 people signed an online petition calling on NBC to boycott the events and cancel The Apprentice, after Trump said immigrants from Mexico “have lots of problems” and “are bringing those problems to us.”

NBC’s statement added that the celebrity version of the business format would continue, as it is licensed from Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group, not Trump, who stepped down as host of The Apprentice after launching his presidential bid.

Trump issued a statement on social media site Instagram yesterday in which he stood by the comments, saying that NBC was “weak” and “trying to be politically correct.”

Hispanic broadcaster Univision last week axed its planned broadcast of the Miss USA pageant in July following the controversial comments from Trump.

Trump used Twitter to claim that Univision apologised for pulling out of the Miss USA pageant, adding that he would be “suing them for a lot of money.”