Trump Buys NBC Universal's Stake in Miss Universe
Gerry Smith
Donald Trump bought NBCUniversal's stake in the Miss Universe organization, officially ending a partnership that dissolved after he derided Mexican immigrants as “rapists” during a speech announcing his presidential campaign.
"Just purchased NBC’s half of The Miss Universe Organization and settled all lawsuits against them," Trump tweeted Friday. "Now own 100% -- stay tuned!"
Rebecca Marks, a spokeswoman for NBCUniversal, confirmed the transaction and declined to comment further.
In June, NBC said the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants would no longer air on the network and that it was ending its business relationship with Trump, citing his “recent derogatory statements” about immigrants. The move came days after Univision Communications Inc., the largest U.S. Spanish- language broadcaster, said it canceled its telecast of the Miss USA pageant because of Trump’s "insulting remarks" about Mexican immigrants.
In his June 16 speech, Trump said Mexicans bring drugs and crime to the U.S. "they're rapists," he said.
The Miss Universe organization was a joint venture between Trump and Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal. In July, the cable channel Reelz acquired the rights to broadcast the Miss USA pageant.