The 2018 Miss America contest turned highly political Sunday night when pageant finalists had to answer questions about Donald Trump’s presidency.
It happened during the second round of questions to cut the top seven finalists down to five. The first question was directed at Miss Missouri Jennifer Davis, when judge Jordin Sparks asked about the “multiple investigations into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia.” (RELATED: Michael Moore, Other Celebs Blame Trump For Charlottesville Riots)
“OK, there are multiple investigations into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia on the election,” Sparks asked. “Well, did they? You’re the jury. Guilty or innocent, and please explain your verdict.”
“Right now I’d have to say innocent, because not enough information has been revealed,” Davis responded. “We are still investigating. And I think we should investigate it to its fullest extent. And if we do find evidence that they do have collusion with Russia, then they should. … The justice system should do their due diligence, and they should be punished accordingly.”
The next question was directed at Miss Texas Morgana Wood regarding the violence that occurred last month in Charlottesville, Va., and Trump’s response.
“Last month, a demonstration of neo-Nazi’s, white supremacists and the KKK in Charlottesville, Virginia turned violent and a counter-protester was killed,” judge Jess Cagle said. “The president said there was shared blame with ‘very fine people on both sides.’ Were there? Tell me yes or no, and explain.”
A third question was directed at Miss North Dakota Cara Mund when judge Maria Menounos asked the contestant about the Paris Climate Accord and whether it was a good decision for Trump to withdraw from the agreement.
“195 countries signed the Paris agreement, in which each country sets non-bidding goals to reduce man-made climate change,” Menounos explained. “The U.S. is withdrawing from the agreement citing negligible environmental effects and negative economic impact. Good decision, bad decision? Which is it, and why?”
Lastly, one of the judges asked Miss New Jersey Kaitlyn Schoeffel about the removal of Confederate statues and why they should remain or be taken down.
“A recent poll found that slightly over half of Americans favored leaving Confederate statues in place while others want them removed,” Tara Lipinski asked. “Keep them or get rid of them? What’s your vote and why?”