The co-host of the Miss USA pageant has withdrawn, saying that after Donald Trump’s recent comments she cannot “in good conscience” take part in the show.
Professional dancer Cheryl Burke announced Tuesday that she will no longer serve as co-host of Miss USA next month, citing both Trump’s recent comments about Mexican immigrants and NBC’s decision to cut ties with the billionaire.
“In light of the 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 its co-host,” Burke wrote on Facebook. “Effective today I have withdrawn from my duties with Miss USA.”
She added: “Although I will not be there in person, I wish all of the contestants much luck as I know how hard they’ve all been working over the last year to try and realize their dreams.”
This was going to be Burke’s first year as co-host. The status of the pageant’s other host, MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, is unclear. NBC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Burke’s decision comes after organizers for the Miss USA pageant vowed to move forward as planned, even though NBC has decided to not broadcast the event.
“We are disheartened by recent events but the show will go on,” the Miss Universe organization, which governs the Miss USA pageant, said in a statement Tuesday morning. “We are moving forward, full-steam ahead as planned for the next two weeks, culminating in the crowning of a new Miss USA on July 12.”
The show currently has no television broadcaster.
Before NBC pulled out, Univision, the biggest Spanish-language broadcaster in the country, decided last week to end its five-year contract to air the pageant as a protest against Trump’s derogatory comments about Mexicans, which he made in announcing his presidential campaign.
“While world politics and other influences will undoubtedly play a role, the pageant will always seek to transcend controversy,” the Miss Universe organization’s statement continued.
“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.”
Trump owns half of the organization that oversees both the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
Miss Kansas USA Alexis Railsback, said that the pageant was “kind of taking the brunt for Donald Trump’s speech.” Railsback, a third-generation Mexican-American, told the Kansas City Star that Trump “does not organize the pageant, he does not run what goes on.”
“That’s a personal decision that he made to make that speech and to run for president, and I don’t think it is really related to the pageant in any way, other than the fact that he is the co-owner,” Railsback said.
The Miss USA pageant is scheduled to be held July 12 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Trump has said that he will sue Univision for the decision, and he indicated on Monday that he may also file a lawsuit against NBC.
NBC’s decision came amid pressure from several Latino groups that objected to Trump’s comments about Mexicans.
Mekahlo Medina, a reporter at an NBC affiliate in California and the head of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, called on NBC to “acquire 100% ownership of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants and air those events without the shadow of such mistrust and fear Mr. Trump has created.”
For Miss USA contestants, this week was supposed to mark the start of preparations leading up to the pageant in less than two weeks.
Dozens of young women descended upon Baton Rouge this weekend for a chance to win the crown. Many of the contestants took to social media on Sunday and Monday to announce their arrival at the pageant.
“I have officially arrived in Baton Rouge!!” tweeted Sarah Weishuhn, Miss South Carolina USA, on Sunday evening.
On Monday afternoon, a little more than an hour after NBC announced its decision to part with Trump, Miss Tennessee USA Kiara Young announced her arrival on Instagram.
“Hey Baton Rouge!!! Tennessee is here!!” Young wrote.
At least one Miss USA contestant captured the confusion that followed Trump’s ouster. Maureen Montagne, Miss Arizona USA, tweeted on Monday that she did “not have any information other than what is in the media at this moment.”
