Trump Accused of Discriminating Against “Too Ethnic” and “Dark-Skinned” Miss Universe Contestants
(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Allegations have surfaced that former President Donald Trump routinely discriminated against contestants in the Miss Universe pageant who he deemed “too ethnic” or “too dark-skinned.” These claims were brought to light in Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America, a book by journalists Michael Isikoff and David Corn, and were published by Mother Jones in 2018.
According to the book, Trump, who had the final say in selecting contestants for the pageant, often vetoed women of color based on their race. Isikoff and Corn revealed that Trump would review the contestants before the competition, making his final picks for the 2013 Miss Universe pageant just days before it began.
The authors wrote, “No woman was a finalist until Trump said so,” and noted that if there were “too many people of color” among the competitors, Trump would intervene. A staff member quoted in the book stated, “He often thought a woman was too ethnic or too dark-skinned. He had a particular type of woman he thought was a winner.”
Former contestants have also shared troubling experiences during their time in the pageant. In 2016, former Miss Universe Alicia Machado accused Trump of body-shaming her, calling her derogatory names such as “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping.” Additionally, several participants in the 1997 Miss Teen USA pageant alleged that Trump entered their dressing room while they were changing.
As reported by BuzzFeed, Miss Vermont Teen USA recalled, “I remember putting on my dress really quick because I was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s a man in here.’” She also recalled Trump saying, “Don’t worry, ladies, I’ve seen it all before.” Kamie Crawford, Miss Teen USA 2010 and a Maryland native from a minority community, also recounted her unsettling encounter with Trump.
In a tweet, she revealed she had been warned before meeting him: “Mr. Trump doesn’t like black people.” She described how nervous she felt, knowing that her potential boss might not welcome her. Crawford also recalled witnessing Trump snub a black contestant during Miss Universe rehearsals, saying, “He literally turned his back to the stage and made a face like he was going to vomit at the sight of her.” These allegations of discriminatory behavior and inappropriate actions have resurfaced in light of Trump’s history with the Miss Universe Organization, raising further questions about his conduct during his time overseeing the pageant.
