Trump: NBC ‘stands behind Brian Williams,’ not people who tell it ‘like it is’

Donald Trump blasted NBC on Monday afternoon after the media company announced it had cut ties with the GOP presidential candidate over remarks he made about immigrants from Mexico.

“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 of Miss Universe/Miss USA will be determined in court,” Trump said in a statement. 

{mosads}“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,” he added.

NBC recently announced that Williams would move from “NBC Nightly News” to a new position at MSNBC after his suspension. 

Trump issued the statement shortly after NBC announced it would be cutting ties with the businessman and no longer air the “Miss USA” and “Miss Universe” pageants, which it produces with Trump. 

NBC noted Trump would not continue on “The Apprentice.” The 2016 Republican presidential candidate has said he told the network he would no longer be the face of the program amid his nascent White House bid.

Trump said during his presidential kick-off that immigrants coming to the United States include criminals and “rapists.” NBC initially distanced itself from Trump but faced pressure to cut ties.

“Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump,” the network said in a statement earlier Monday.

Trump doubled down on his immigration remarks Monday, but offered a tempered response to the news of NBC cutting its business ties. He told reporters after a campaign event in Chicago he had a “great” relationship with NBC.

“I think as far as ending the relationship, I have to do that, because my view on immigration is much different from the people at NBC,” he said. “You cannot have … illegal immigration. You don’t have a country if you have that.”

“So I told NBC, I can’t change my stance,” Trump said.

He echoed those remarks in his statement, calling for “strong borders.”

“As has been stated continuously in the press, people are pouring across our borders unabated. Public reports routinely state great amounts of crime are being committed by illegal immigrants. This must be stopped and it must be stopped now.”