Donald Trump says he's bought 100 per cent of Miss Universe

The tycoon said he has also settled all lawsuits

The move gives Donald Trump full ownership of the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants (Reuters)

Donald Trump – tycoon, campaign blowhard and purported lover of woman - has purchased NBC’s half of the Miss Universe Organisation and settled all lawsuits against the media company.

The move, which Mr Trump announced via Twitter on Friday morning, gives him full ownership of the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants and completes his split from the network, whuch started in June when NBC announced it was ending its business relationship with the reality television star.

Mr Trump had starred on the network as host of The Celebrity Apprentice, but he angered NBC and other companies with his strident and controversial comments this summer about illegal migrants.

At the time, NBC said it would no longer air the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which had been a joint venture between the company and Mr Trump, the Associated Press said.

Miss USA had aired on NBC since 2003. This year's edition had been set for July 12, but aired instead on cable's Reelz network.

Meanwhile, Univision cancelled its coverage of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which led to a $500m lawsuit brought by Mr Trump claiming his First Amendment rights were violated as well as claiming a breach of contract.

The announcement from the the Republican front-runner came hours before he was scheduled to tape a guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for Friday night’s airing.

NBC has so far declined to comment on the purchase.