Just before i star this new post, I must admit that everything I know about beauty pageants comes from the films ‘Miss Congeniality‘ and ‘Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous‘, modern classics we all know and love.
As far as I can tell it involves standardly beautiful women who wear nice clothes and do some sort of talent on stage, and answer questions about serious world issues and world peace, usually only crossing over into mainstream news if they say something extremely dumb or incorrect.
But this year’s Miss America pageant has broken excellent new ground, with a couple of contestants using these questions as an opportunity to openly have a go at Donald Trump.
During the Q&A session of the event, Miss Texas, otherwise known by her name Margana Wood, was asked about Trump’s reaction to white supremacy by judge Jess Cagle.
Last month a demonstration of neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the KKK in Charlottesville Virginia turned violent and a counter protester was killed. The President said there was shared blame with, quote, ‘very fine people on both sides.’ Were there? Tell me yes or no and explain.
Wood had 20 seconds to respond, but did not hesitate for one second before replying with passion.
I think that the white supremacist issue, it was very obvious, that it was a terrorist attack. And I think that President Donald Trump should’ve made a statement earlier addressing the fact, and in making sure all Americans feel safe in this country. That is the number one issue right now.
Wood did not go on to win the pageant, but Miss North Dakota, Cara Mund, a self-identified Republican who would go on to win the crown, also took an opportunity to dig at Donald. After she was asked about his decision to withdraw America from the Paris climate accord, she replied “It’s a bad decision. There is evidence that climate change is existing and we need to be at that table.”