Can 'Miss Universe' Carry on Now That NBC Dumped Trump?

By now you've probably heard about the backlash that Donald Trump, who announced during his presidency campaign launch that illegal immigrants from Mexico are responsible for "bringing drugs, bringing crime," and raping the good American people.

NBC, who has been the long-term home for Trump's "Apprentice," was quick to drop him due to the "derogatory statements." The network cut ties with Trump, who is threatening now to sue.

But what about the true victims here, lost in the scuffle?

That would be the 51 state beauty pageant winners, who were planning to appear on July 12's Miss USA Pageant.

With NBC washing its hands of the controversial Trump, this means there will be no Miss USA, Teen USA, or Miss Universe (jointly owned by Trump) showings on the major channel.

The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement that they are "disheartened" by the news.

"While world politics and other influences will undoubtedly play a role, the pageant will always seek to transcend controversy," the organization says. "It is unfortunate that recent events beyond our control have only served to negatively impact the women who participate in the pageant, our state directors, our sponsors and our fans. We want our supporters to know we remain committed to them and we will be conducting the pageant, regardless of the current situation."

An insider for the organization says that unless a network will air the pageant, everyone involved will be "shopping for new jobs."

“It doesn’t look like anyone will air it at this stage. They could possibly buy time but they’ll need to find someone to sell it to them… No one knows what will happen.”

They added that NBC “had been looking for a way out of airing the show for some time, and this was the perfect out. Ratings and ad revenue have slipped dramatically the last 10 years and it costs a fortune to put this on."

This does, unfortunately, not only leave a handful of beautiful women without a platform, but puts Baton Rouge, LA, where the pageant was to be held, “trying to salvage the millions they had tied up” in the event.

Farouk Systems, whose hair products include Chi and Biosilk, also announced it was withdrawing sponsorship of Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss Teen USA Pageants.

It sounds like some mascara might be running.