The Miss USA pageant has been hit with more blows this week as a result of the immigration comments made by Miss Universe Organization co-owner Donald Trump. After NBC officially cut ties with the real estate tycoon, Cheryl Burke has now pulled out as co-host of the pageant, which is scheduled to take place on July 12.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, June 30, the former "Dancing With the Stars" pro said, "In light of recent statements made by Donald Trump and the subsequent decision by NBC to cut ties with Mr. Trump, I cannot in good conscience move forward with participating in this year's Miss USA Pageant as it's co-host."
Burke went on to say that she wishes all the contestants much luck as she is aware of how hard they have been working over the last year in preparation for the pageant.
Burke is currently a star on NBC's "I Can Do That." This would have been her first time hosting the event, which she was set to share with returning host, MSNBC's Thomas Roberts.
Last week, Roselyn Sanchez and Cristian de la Fuente, who would have hosted Univision's Spanish language simulcast of the ceremony, said in separate statements that they were backing out of the show. A day after, Univision made its decision not to air the pageant. Meanwhile, an NBC spokesperson has confirmed that Roberts is withdrawing from Miss USA as well.
Burke's and Thomas' decision to drop out of the pageant is due to Trump's highly controversial remarks made at a campaign event wherein he said that Mexicans coming over to the U.S. were "bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists."
The fallout from Trump's comments continue as Mexican media company Televisa revealed that they would not send a contestant to this year's Miss Universe Pageant. Lupita Jones, a former Miss Universe winner who helps run Mexico's national pageant, said in a statement that the tycoon "has not shown understanding or respect toward Mexican migrants and has offended the entire Mexican population."
