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Univision pulls out of Miss USA deal

Ben KnightJune 25, 2015

US Spanish TV network Univision will not be airing the Miss USA competition. The firm pulled out of its deal after Donald Trump, who co-owns the Miss Universe Organization, described Mexican immigrants as rapists.

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Donald Trump
Image: Reuters/Jim Young

"Today, the entertainment division of Univision Communications Inc. announced that it is ending the Company's business relationship with the Miss Universe Organization, which is part-owned by Donald J. Trump, based on his recent, insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

During his June 16 speech to announce his candidacy for president, Trump told his followers, "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best, … 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."

His solution to the perceived immigration problem was simple: "I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively, I will build a great, great wall on our southern border. And I will have Mexico pay for that wall."

The response from Univision was unequivocal: "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."

Univision has become the largest Spanish-language broadcaster in the US, getting more viewers than its competitors Telemundo and Azteca America.