Donald Trump on Wednesday downplayed his recent split with NBC over comments he made about Mexican immigrants, saying he is focusing his attention on his presidential campaign.
During an appearance on Fox Business Network, Mr. Trump said that it was his decision to leave NBC.
“First of all, I told them I’m not doing it, they didn’t tell me,” Mr. Trump said. “I told them I’m not doing it because I’m going to run for President and when you run for President, or when you run for any political office, you can’t do a television show.”
NBC cut ties with Mr. Trump after he said in his announcement speech last month that Mexico is sending people into the United States who have “lots of problems.”
“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” he said.
The comments sparked an uproar.
Univision, a Spanish-language television station, announced it was not going to cover the pageants Miss USA and Miss Universe — beauty pageants co-owned by Mr. Trump.
NBC later said it also would drop coverage of the pageants and signaled that his days as host of “The Apprentice” were over.
Mr. Trump has sued Univision and said Wednesday he has yet to decide whether he will sue NBC as well.
“It’s a little bit sad because I had a great relationship with them and then they really dropped these young women like hot potatoes,” he said. “It was terrible what they did with that. So, we’ll see what happens. You know, NBC will be next to come. We’re looking at it very seriously and we will make a … determination.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.