Univision responded to Donald Trump’s $500 million lawsuit saying, “It is both factually false and legally ridiculous.”
The lawsuit was filed on June 30, 2015, and accuses Univision of breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relationship, and defamation. The lawsuit seeks $500 million in punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.
The dispute arose when Univision chose to not broadcast the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants after Trump made contentious statements about Mexican immigrants during a presidential campaign speech.
Trump alleged Mexican immigrants are, “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”
Univision CEO Randy Falco wrote in an internal memo on June 29, 2015, “I made the decision to end business relationships with the Trump Organization simply because it was the right thing to do.”
The network released a statement saying, “We will not only vigorously defend the case, but will continue to fight against Mr. Trump’s ongoing efforts to run away from the derogatory comments he made on June 16th about Mexican immigrants. Our decision to end our business relationship with Mr. Trump was influenced solely by our responsibility to speak up for the community we serve.”
Univision is not the only company to cut ties with Trump after his offending statements. Other companies who severed business relations with Trump include Televisa, Farouk Systems, NBCUniversial, and Macy’s.
Interesting lawsuit, I wonder what the outcome will be!