NBC Ditches Donald Trump After Controversial Immigration Comments

NBC announced Monday afternoon that the company ended its business relationship with Donald Trump due to recent remarks the 2016 contender made about immigrants.

According to a statement posted online, NBCUniversal has severed ties with Trump, meaning the network will no longer air the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Donald Trump makes presidential announcement at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Steve Sands/Getty Images)

"At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values," the statement read.

Trump quickly responded to NBC in his own statement Monday afternoon, not missing the opportunity to take a jab at former Nightly News anchor Brian Williams.

"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 with Miss Universe/Miss USA will be determined in court," Trump said. "Furthermore, they will stand behind lying Brian Williams, but won't stand behind people that tell it like it is, as unpleasant as that may be."

Statement on Relationship with NBC-

A photo posted by Donald J. Trump (@realdonaldtrump) on Jun 29, 2015 at 1:14pm PDT

While announcing his bid for president on June 16, Trump blasted Mexican immigrants as having "lots of problems" and "bringing crime" to the United States.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," he said. "They're sending people that have lots of problems. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists."

NBC began to distance itself from the Republican candidate last week and comes on the heels of Univision cutting ties with the Miss Universe Organization.

“Donald Trump’s opinions do not represent those of NBC, and we do not agree with his positions on a number of issues, including his recent comments on immigration,” NBC said in a statement on Thursday.

Trump has blamed the media for the attention surrounding his comments on immigrants, claiming that the media has "attempt[ed] to distort" his remarks.

"I have many successful business relationships with Mexican companies and employ, and am close friends with, many Mexican people," Trump said last week according to CNN. "I also have tremendous respect for the leaders of Mexico, who, frankly, are much smarter and tougher than our politicians here in the United States."

Celebrity Apprentice is safe on the network, however, as it is licensed by Mark Burnett's United Artists Media Group.

This story has been updated to include Trump's statement.