Trump dumped

US presidential hopeful fired over Mexican immigrants comments

NBC said on Monday that it is ending its business relationship with mogul and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump because of comments he made about Mexican immigrants during the announcement of his campaign.

The network said it would no longer air the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which had been a joint venture between the company and Trump. Miss USA has aired on NBC since 2003, and this year’s edition was set for July 12.

“At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values,” NBC said in a statement.

Trump’s reply: a “weak” NBC should prepare to meet him in court.

NBC’s action comes less than a week after Univision similarly decided to ditch Trump and the pageants. Trump has also been a fixture on NBC as host of The Apprentice and its celebrity offshoot, and an agreement that he would no longer be on the show predated the current controversy. The network said on Monday that it and producer Mark Burnett are exploring ways to continue Celebrity Apprentice sans Trump.

Trump said he anticipated losing the business relationship and that he’s not apologising for his statements because they “were correct”. “Whatever they want to do is OK with me,” Trump said in Chicago after a campaign speech.

But in a statement issued by his company in New York, Trump said: “NBC is weak, and like everybody else is trying to be politically correct. That is why our country is in serious trouble.”

During his presidential kick-off speech, Trump said Mexican immigrants are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people.” He called for building a wall along the southern border of the US. Trump later said that his remarks were directed at US policymakers, not the Mexican government or its people.

Maritza Vaca, with the Chicagobased Accion Hispano, said immigrants have rights and was upset by Trump’s comments. “It is racism,” she said. “For him to be running for president is ridiculous.” — AP