Trump Lets Miss California Keep Her Crown

By Jacqueline L. Salmon

Donald Trump (not someone you would normally hear about on this blog) has given Miss California, Carrie Prejean, a pass on those revealing photos racing around the Internet. A gossip site, TMZ.com, has posted more pictures of Prejean, this time from the front and topless, taken last year.

But Trump, who owns the pageant, said in a news conference this morning that "We're in the 21st century," and that she is a model. She gets to keep her Miss California crown.

Prejean, an evangelical Christian, has become a heroine to opponents of same-sex marriage at a time when they are feeling increasingly under siege as more states declare same-sex marriage legal. At the Miss USA pageant last month, Prejean answered a question during the competition about same-sex marriage by saying she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Conservative Christian groups have stood by her--so far. She was interviewed by James Dobson on "Focus on the Family" where she stressed her Christian faith:

Dobson: "Why did you give the answer you did with regard to the affirmation of marriage?"

Prejean: "I felt as though Satan was trying to tempt me in asking me this question. And then God was in my head and in my heart saying, "Do not compromise this. You need to stand up for me and you need to share with all these people . . . you need to witness to them and you need to show that you're not willing to compromise that for this title of Miss USA."

But it could get a more dicey for her now. The topless photos may be too much for her backers. Miss California officials have effectively replaced her by appointing her runner-up Tami Farrell as "beauty ambassador" who will make the public appearances that the state pageant winner normally makes.

What could help her case: Miss California officials complained she was spending too much time advocating against same-sex marriage and not enough time her duties as Miss California. That can only endear her to her conservative Christian fans.

By Jacqueline L. Salmon  |  May 12, 2009; 11:30 AM ET  | Category:  God in Government Save & Share:                 
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