Fallout from Donald Trump’s remarks about immigrants from Mexico continued to dog him on Tuesday as a TV company backed by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim said it was scrapping a project in development with the outspoken mogul, and Mexico announced it won’t be sending a contestant to the Miss Universe contest, which Trump partly owns.
Meanwhile, the backlash threatened to extend beyond Trump’s media interests.
Ora TV became the latest company to cut ties with Trump over remarks he made in his recent presidential campaign kickoff speech, when he declared that some Mexican immigrants bring drugs and crime to the US and are rapists.
The company did not give any details about the project it had been developing with Trump. Slim holds a majority interest in Ora TV, which produces shows including Larry King Now and Off the Grid with Jesse Ventura.
And a day after Televisa, the Mexican TV network that airs Miss Universe, said there would be no telecast for the next contest, Miss Mexico pageant director Lupita Jones said Mexico would boycott Miss Universe. She said Trump damaged the pageant and its tradition of convening countries for an event that showcases “friendship, unity and breaking down cultural barriers”.
NBC and Spanish-language network Univision previously said they would not air the Miss USA or Miss Universe pageants.
The Miss USA pageant, set to take place on July 12, also lost both its co-hosts on Tuesday, with Dancing with the Stars’ Cheryl Burke and MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts both bowing out. The Miss USA pageant had no specifics on who might host in their place.
Last week, the hosts of the Univision simulcast, Roselyn Sanchez and Cristian de la Fuente, both said they wouldn’t take part in the Spanish-language telecast.
By Tuesday, the aftershocks had begun to spread into another lucrative part of Trump’s empire, as the Ricky Martin Foundation announced it would withdraw a golf tournament from a Trump-owned property.
The golf tournament, which draws professional players and big sponsors, raises money for child advocacy and scholarships for Latino students. It was to be held on August 21 at the Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The location has been moved to the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort.
“The determination corresponds with the commitment and solidarity of our founder president to human rights, especially in the Latino community,” said Martin’s spokeswoman Helga Garcia.
The PGA Tour, which runs a World Golf Championship at Trump Doral near Miami, and the PGA of America, declined comment on whether Trump’s remarks would impact their relationship with the mogul.
Trump is a strong presence at Doral, often landing his helicopter on a pad between the ninth and 10th holes.
The PGA of America has even deeper ties with Trump. It announced last year that the 2022 PGA Championship would be held at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey. The PGA of America also is playing the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a four-man field of the year’s major champions, at Trump National in Los Angeles.
Trump was a guest of the PGA of America for its Ryder Cup captain’s pick selection show last September in New York.
USGA spokesman Adam Barr did not return an email seeking comment. The US Women’s Open will be held at Trump National in New Jersey in 2017.
