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US TV network NBC fires Donald Trump over Mexico comments | US TV network NBC fires Donald Trump over Mexico comments |
(35 minutes later) | |
US TV network NBC is cutting ties with Donald Trump over "recent derogatory statements" that the veteran businessman made about immigrants. | US TV network NBC is cutting ties with Donald Trump over "recent derogatory statements" that the veteran businessman made about immigrants. |
NBC said the company would now not be airing the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants that are co-owned by Mr Trump. | NBC said the company would now not be airing the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants that are co-owned by Mr Trump. |
Responding to the announcement, Mr Trump said he would consider suing NBC. | Responding to the announcement, Mr Trump said he would consider suing NBC. |
Earlier this month, he accused Mexicans of adding drugs and crime to the US as he announced he was seeking the Republican presidential nomination. | |
"They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some I assume are good people, but I speak to border guards, and they tell us what we are getting," he said in his speech on 16 June. | |
He also pledged to build a "great wall" on the US border with Mexico and insisted it would be paid for by Mexicans. | He also pledged to build a "great wall" on the US border with Mexico and insisted it would be paid for by Mexicans. |
He later insisted he was criticising US lawmakers, not Mexican people. | |
NBC had faced pressure from Hispanic advocacy groups to drop Mr Trump's shows and a petition on the Change.org website gathered more than 200,000 signatures. | |
On Monday, the network issued a statement saying: "At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values." | |
Celebrity Apprentice would continue to be aired, it added, as it is licensed from a separate group. Mr Trump stopped hosting the show when he entered the presidential contest. | |
'NBC is weak" | |
He issued a statement shortly after NBC's announcement, saying he stood by his statements on illegal immigrations, "which are accurate". | |
"NBC is weak, and like everybody else is trying to be politically correct - that is why our country is in serious trouble," he said. | |
He claimed the network had violated its contract and said the move would be "determined in court". | |
NBC is the second network to drop the divisive politician after Univision, one of the largest US Spanish-language broadcasters, also ended its coverage of Miss USA. | |
After being dropped by Univision last week, Mr Trump accused the Mexican government of pressuring the network, saying: "They want to silence Donald Trump. And Donald Trump can't be silenced." | |
Even if his commercial prospects are taking a battering, Mr Trump's political fortunes seem to be improving. | |
Polls suggest he is running second to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in the crowded field of Republican hopefuls. |