The smell of desperation piercing the cool New Jersey coastal air has been identified; it emanated from last weekend’s Miss America contest. As young women from across the nation, proudly representing their states, prepared for a grueling showdown of beauty and intelligence, anti-Trump bashers found a new national stage to exploit. Contestants answered questions about life goals, societal issues as usual, but for the first time, a sitting president was thrown into the mix to bait a response. Whether the pretties had been tipped off in how to answer is unknown. However, many chased the political chum.
Judges Fished for Anti-Trump Statements, but the Catch Wasn’t What They Hoped for
Reality show winner and Miss America judge Jordan Sparks started the feeding frenzy with a question for Miss Missouri about collusion with Russia:
Sparks: There are multiple investigations into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia on the election. Well, did they? You’re the jury: guilty or innocent, and please explain your verdict.
Miss Missouri: Right now I have to say innocent because not enough information has been revealed. We are still investigating this, and I think we should investigate it to its fullest extent. If we do find the evidence that they have had collusion with Russia, the justice system should do their due diligence, and they should be punished accordingly.
The jury? Jeez, Louise. But that was not enough for the panel – they wanted an outright public shaming of the president to post on social media. The next would-be zinger gave winner Miss North Dakota a chance for stardom. Judge Maria Menounos, another reality show star, asked if withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord was incorrect and why. The response made English teachers cringe, and liberals swoon:
“I do believe it’s a bad decision,” she said. “Once we reject that, we take ourselves out of the negotiation table, and that’s something that we really need to keep in mind.”
“There is evidence that climate change is existing. So whether you believe it or not, we need to be at that table, and I think it’s just a bad decision on behalf of the United States,” she added.
Of course, a question about the Charlottesville tragedy and the removal of historical monuments gave Miss New Jersey her once in a lifetime opportunity. She replied, “We need to always remember it and honor our history of America because it truly makes us who we are as Americans. But they should be moved to museums. Thank you.”
Miss America is Supposed to be About More Than Politics
The storied Miss America organization has promoted women in an array of categories since 1921. They have been invited into our living rooms to entertain our families and bring a little light into a dreary world at times. They realize their platform has an impact; it is unfortunate they did not rise to the occasion.
Miss America is more than a title; it’s a movement of empowering young women everywhere to achieve their dreams by giving them a voice to inspire change and by honoring their commitment to helping others.
Did they mean “Their commitment to helping others” by bashing President Trump to curry favor with a panel of judges? When all eyes are focused on the devastation in Texas and Florida, wouldn’t questions regarding immediate relief needs and long-term planning be more appropriate? Another American institution sullied by hate is disappointing to many who have admired the program for decades. Oh, and the winner Miss North Dakota and her runners’ up Miss Missouri and Miss New Jersey? Yes, they all gobbled up the chum for a shot at the tiara and a dozen roses.
