NBC tells Donald Trump: You're fired! Business relationship ends over attacks on immigrants

Controversial real estate mogul-turned-Republican presidential candidate has been dumped by yet another network after his comments about Mexican immigrants during his candidacy announcement speech earlier in June.

NBCUniversal released a statement announcing it was severing its business relationship with the TV reality star.

"At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values," the statement released on 29 June reads. "Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump."

The statement continued: "To that end, the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, which are part of a joint venture between NBC and Trump, will no longer air on NBC."

The broadcaster added that it will continue to air "Celebrity Apprentice", but will not include the participation of Trump. The 69-year-old was previously dumped by Spanish-language network Univision for his comments saying that Mexican immigrants brought drugs into the US and were rapist.

Trump, who has been very vocal about his ongoing dispute with Univision, has not said anything about his business venture ending with NBC online. According to Fox News, he did, however, address NBC's decision during a speech at City Club of Chicago.

"Whatever they want to do is O.K. with me," Trump said. "I've had a lot of great relationships with NBC, I think as far as ending the relationship, I have to do that, because my view on immigration is much different than the people at NBC."

Social media users on Twitter have pounced on the announcement, with "You're Fired" quickly becoming a top trending topic.

"I wonder how satisfying it was for the NBC exec who got to call up Donald Trump and tell him... 'You're Fired.'," tweeted actor Mario Lopez.

The Republican candidate caused quite a stir when he announced he was running for president on 16 June.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," he said. "They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some, I assume, are good people."

He later threatened to sue Univision for backing out of their business partnership. Trump blamed the Mexican government for coercing the Spanish-language network to end its relationship with him.