It was bound to happen and we respect Univision more for it. The top Spanish-language network has announced they will not be airing the Miss USA 2015 beauty pageant, breaking ties with the Miss Universe Organization and any other projects tied to the Trump Organization. The reason? Donald Trump's horrendous remarks about the Latino community and Mexican immigrants, the latter which represent one of the most important segments of the networks audience. "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 network said in a statement.
"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. Univision News and the local news division will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of all candidates, including Mr. Trump, to ensure our audience continues to have access to all points of view."
News of Univision canceling the beauty pageant on their network comes after singer J Balvin also announced he was stepping down from the event he was scheduled to perform at. “It was going to be my first performance on national [mainstream] television,” Balvin told Billboard. “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.” “Mexico is a Latin powerhouse,” he added. “And Mexicans, they're known as hard workers. Here in the U.S., not everybody wants to do those kinds of jobs. I’ve lived. I know what it feels like and what they go through and how families suffer. A comment like that is powerful. I think music is to have fun. It’s for people to have a good time with. I’m no savior and I’m no Robin Hood, but in this case, I feel totally comfortable and responsible with my decision.”
During Trump's announcement he made unfortunate remarks that have been deemed racist. "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best. They're not sending you, they're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems," he said. "[Mexican immigrants] are bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak to border guards and they're telling us what we're getting. 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.”
In January of this year, Univision made the big announcement that it had signed a deal with the Miss Universe organization to air the beauty pageant as well as the Miss USA pageant. The deal was unexpected as Telemundo, owned by NBC Universal, was the network that broadcasted the event until then. “The Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants consistently rank as the most watched, most-coveted properties and entertainment programs around the world,” Donald J. Trump said at the time. "Adding Univision as one of our leading media partners in addition to NBC could not be more exciting."
"Our new partnership will bring the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants, among the most watched forms of television entertainment in the world to Univision, the number one media brand for U.S. Hispanics," says Paula M. Shugart. "Our collaboration will bring unmatched entertainment to the most passionate, loyal audience that Univision offers to one of the fastest growing and important demographic communities in the U.S." This collaboration will not be happening anymore, but what will NBC do now?
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