Univision divorces Miss Universe, blames Donald Trump comment about Mexicans

Univision is calling it quits with Miss Universe.

The television giant, which attracts the largest number of Spanish-speaking viewers in the world, issued a press release Thursday morning stating it would not be airing the Miss USA pageant as planned on July 12th after learning that billionaire Donald J. Trump is a part owner of the Miss Universe Organization, which puts on the annual event.

“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 press release stated. “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 12th or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization.has the largest reach.”

In a June 16 speech in New York City announcing he was joining the race for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump said blamed Mexico for a host of the problems plaguing the U.S.

“They’re laughing at us, at our stupidity,” he said. “And now they are beating us economically. They are not our friend, believe me. But they’re killing us economically.

“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” he added. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. 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. And some, I assume, are good people.

“It’s coming from more than Mexico. It’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably from the Middle East,” he concluded.

Trump took to Twitter to react to the decision.

“Mexican gov doesn't want me talking about terrible border situation & horrible trade deals. Forcing Univision to get me to stop - no way!”

Univision included a statement in the release claiming the news division of the network will continue to cover the U.S. presidential race and “provide comprehensive coverage of all candidates, including Mr. Trump, to ensure our audience continues to have access to all points of view.”

The network’s decision came a day after Colombian pop singer J Balvin announced he was canceling his planned performance at the pageant after learning of Trump’s speech.

“[Miss USA] was going to be my first performance on national television," Balvin told Billboard magazine. “But we’re talking about our roots, our culture, our values. This isn’t about being punitive, but about showing leadership through social responsibility. His comments weren’t just about Mexicans, but about all Latins in general.”

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado revealed Thursday morning that Miss Universe representatives expressed interest several months ago in moving the pageant to the AmericanAirlines Arena. He said Trump's people called him to mention their interest in the arena, and to discuss whether the city would assist the pageant with public money.

Regalado said he doesn't know where talks to move the pageant stand, but said his administration won't contribute a penny to a Trump production after his remarks about Mexico.

"I don't think that he should be welcome in the city of Miami at all after the things that he has said," Regalado said.

Regalado told Miami commissioners during a meeting Thursday that, on Wednesday, he attended a meeting of the Spanish American Chamber of Commerce, during which Emilio Estefan discussed Trump's comments, and said "an attack on the Mexican community is an attack on all the Hispanic communities in the U.S."

On her Facebook page, the Mexican-born Sandra Ruiz, the vice mayor of Doral, which hosted the Miss Universe pageant in January, posted the following statement Thursday morning:

“I applaud @Univision for cutting ties with Trump after his controversial remarks on immigration ‪#kudos‬ ‪#standforsomething‬ ‪#proudmexican‬ ‪#latin‬”

This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Univision divorces Miss Universe, blames Donald Trump comment about Mexicans."