Mexico pulls pageant contestant over Donald Trump's offensive comments - Action News
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Mexico pulls pageant contestant over Donald Trump's offensive comments

Mexico's national beauty pageant director won't send a contestant to Miss Universe, the latest fallout from controversial remarks by Donald Trump, a U.S. presidential candidate and owner of the contest.

Trump has damaged the Miss Universe, said Mexico's national beauty pageant director

Donald Trump, left, and Miss Connecticut Erin Brady pose onstage after Brady won the 2013 Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas. On Tuesday, Mexico's national beauty pageant director confirmed the country won't send a contestant to the Miss Universe contest because of insulting remarks Trump made about Latino immigrants. (Jeff Bottari/AP File)

Mexico's national beauty pageant director confirms the country won't send a contestant to Miss Universe because of insulting remarks by Donald Trump, abusinessman and owner of the contest who is also a U.S. presidential candidate.

Lupita Jones says via her official Twitter account that she was offended and angry "like everyone else" with Trump over his comments referring to Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists.

Jones was Miss Universe 1991 and runs the Mexico competition.

She said Trump damaged the pageant and its tradition of convening countries for an event that showcases "friendship, unity and breaking down cultural barriers."

She lauded Mexico's media giant,Televisa,for deciding not to air the pageant in announcing that Mexico would not participate.

The move byTelevisa, one of the largest TV groups in the hemisphere, followed NBC's decision Monday to endits business relationship with themogul and U.S. Republican presidential candidate.

NBC said it would no longer air the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which had been a joint venture between the company and Trump. Miss USA has aired on NBC since 2003, and this year's edition was set for July 12.

Trump unapologetic

Less than aweek before theNBC move,Univision similarly decided to ditch Trump and the pageants.

The backlash stems from comments Trump made during the kick-off speech for his U.S. Republican presidential campaign. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)
Trump has saidhe would consider suing bothNBC and Univision over breach of contract.

During his presidential kickoff speech, Trump said Mexican immigrants are "bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists and some, I assume, are good people." He called for building a wall along the southern border of the United States. Trump later said that his remarks were directed at U.S. policymakers, not the Mexican government or its people.

The 69-year-old real estate tycoon has refused toapologizefor his statements, saying they "were correct."

With files from CBC News