NEW YORK — (CNN) Donald Trump says that he’s made good on his threat to sue Univision over its decision to not broadcast the Miss USA pageant.
In a lengthy statement on Tuesday, the billionaire businessman said he has filed a $500 million lawsuit against America’s largest Spanish-language broadcaster.
“While Univision claims its decision came solely in response to comments by Mr. Trump during a June 16, 2015 campaign speech announcing his candidacy for President of the United States, the decision was, in reality, a politically motivated attempt to suppress Mr. Trump’s freedom of speech under the First Amendment as he begins to campaign for the nation’s presidency,” the statement said.
Univision decided last week that it will end its deal with the Trump Organization that gave the network the rights to broadcast Miss USA in Spanish. The statement from Trump, who is a partial owner of both the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, said that Univision “is required to broadcast the pageant live on television in Spanish.”
[Read full statement below]
Donald Trump says, “Nothing that I stated was different from what I have been saying for many years. I want strong borders, and I do not support or condone illegal immigration. There is a high level of crime occurring in this country due to unchecked illegal immigration. This is a major security issue for the United States. Additionally, the terrible trade deals our government is routinely entering into with Mexico are causing great financial harm to our country. We are losing a huge number of jobs, manufacturing opportunities and money due to poorly negotiated trade deals, a fact that undisputable. That won’t happen if I become president— this disturbing trend will end and it will end quickly.”
He continued, “I have great respect for Mexico and love for the Mexican people and their tremendous spirit! However, their leaders and trade negotiators are far smarter than those representing the United States, and our citizens and economy are suffering greatly as a result. We have to remedy the situation and do it fast. These have long been my views and I have the courage, unlike many others, to express them. As a consequence of their inappropriate actions, Univision and NBC have abandoned fifty one wonderful young women who have come from all over the United States to pursue their dream of being crowned Miss USA. Their participation in this globally renowned pageant has come at great cost and after years of sacrifice and hard work. NBC and Univision have wronged them greatly. Mr. Trump added, “I want to tell these contestants that the show will go on and I will be in Baton Rouge on July 12th to support them.”
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