NBC has told Donald Trump, “You’re fired.”
The network said in a statement Monday it is “ending its business relationship” with the outspoken entrepreneur over his “recent derogatory statements” regarding immigrants.
Last week, Spanish language giant Univision announced that it was doing the same based on what it deemed “insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants” in Trump’s speech announcing his presidential candidacy.
“They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists,” Trump said in that June 16 speech, adding, “And some, I assume, are good people.”
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.
Trump’s reality show “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which was renewed in February for a 15th season and is licensed from Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group, will continue on the network, but without Trump as host.
The tycoon, who coined the show’s catchphrase “You’re fired,” had already indicated he would step away from hosting that show to focus on his presidential bid as a Republican candidate.
More than 217,000 people had signed an online petition asking NBC to dump Trump.
Trump campaign officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.