NBC: Donald Trump, you’re fired!
Apprentice boss Donald Trump has himself been fired by NBC – after making offensive comments about Mexicans while seeking the Republican Presidential nomination.
Mr Trump, a billionaire businessman who is known for appearing on the US version of reality show The Apprentice, became the latest Republican to announce a bid for a White House last week.
The TV star previously explained he opposes same-sex marriage because he “just don’t feel good about it” – but was recently challenged on his belief in ‘traditional’ marriage given he has been married three times.
In addition to his comments about same-sex marriage, Mr Trump has attracted controversy after claiming Mexican immigrants include “rapists” and bring “drugs and crime”.
He said: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best…They’re sending people who have lots of problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”
NBCUniversal, which has aired The Apprentice since 2004 in addition to Trump’s Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, said it had cut ties with Trump over the remarks.
It said: “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values. Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr Trump.”
Trump hit back: “If NBC is so weak and so foolish to not understand the serious illegal immigration problem in the United States, coupled with the horrendous and unfair trade deals we are making with Mexico, then their contract violating closure of Miss Universe/Miss USA will be determined in court.”
The Republican was recently accused of paying actors $50 each to pretend to support him at his Presidential campaign launch.
Despite Trump’s public opposition to the rights of gay couples to marry, actor George Takei claimed previously that Trump privately admitted he has attended a same-sex wedding and that he’d found it ‘beautiful’.
