Donald Trump was partial to Eastern European women and replaced contestants who he thought were ‘too ethnic’ or ‘dark-skinned’ while he was the head of the Miss Universe pageants, a new book has claimed.
In an explosive excerpt from Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump – published by Mother Jones – Michael Isikoff and David Corn reveal that contrary to popular belief, the president was the one who called the shots when it came to choosing finalists.
The former Apprentice host, who ran the organization from 1996 to 2015, was given a special room backstage of every pageant where he would review the judges’ picks a few days before the competition.
The Trump Card: Donald Trump was allegedly partial to Eastern European contestants and replaced women who he thought were ‘too ethnic’ at the Miss Universe Pageant. Above he is pictured with Miss Albania 2010, Miss USA 2004, Miss Universe 2003, Miss Universe 2007, Miss Tanzania 2007, Miss Kosovo 2009, and Miss Kosovo 2008
Former staffers claim Trump had a ‘type’ that included women such as 2012 winner Olivia Culpo (left) and Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres (right)
He reportedly focused particularly on the footage of finalists in evening gowns or swimsuits and would override their decisions if he disagreed.
‘If there were too many women of color, he would make changes,’ a former staffer claimed.
Another staffer alleged that Trump, 71, had a specific ‘type’ such as 2012 winner Olivia Culpo and Dayanara Torres, who took home the crown in 1993, as well as ‘East European women.’
However, some staffers said they were able to change Trump’s mind by revealing that the contestants had ties to royalty or had famous husbands.
‘If he didn’t like a woman because she looked too ethnic, you could sometimes persuade him by telling him she was a princess and married to a football player,’ a staffer said.
Paula Shugart, the president of the Miss Universe Organization would at times challenge Trump on his choices, but was not always successful, according to the excerpt.
As the head of the Miss Universe Organization, Trump got the last say in deciding who which women will be finalists and would replace contestants if they looked ‘too ethnic or dark-skinned.’ Above he is pictured with Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez
Paula Shugart (pictured with Trump in 2011) the president of the Miss Universe Organization would at times challenge Trump on his choices, but was not always successful, according to the excerpt
A staffer claimed Trump could be persuaded to keep endangered finalists by telling him she was a princess and married to a football player
Another staffer claimed that Trump once rejected a woman who ‘snubbed his advances.’
The book also reveals Trump was very particular with his demands, even down to his snacks, insisting he needed his favorite treats: ‘Nutter Butters, white Tic Tacs, and Diet Coke.’
He also required unscented soap, rolled towels instead of folded, and did not want any ‘distracting’ pictures on the wall.
These new allegations come nearly a month after The New Yorker published a report alleging Trump had selected pageant finalists based on business ties or prospective ties with the woman’s home country in order to further his own interests.
Shi Lim, who competed as Miss Singapore in 2013, told the New Yorker: ‘The finalists were picked by Trump. He was really in charge. We called it the Trump card.’
Russian Roulette by Michael Isikoff and David Corn will be releases on March 13
Adwoa Yamoah, who competed as Miss Canada in 2012, added: ‘He made comments about every girl: “I’ve been to that country.” “We’re building a Trump Tower there.”
‘It was clear the countries that he liked did well. He basically told us he picked nine of the top fifteen.’
And during Trump’s nearly 20 years with Miss Universe, multiple pageants were hosted in cities where Trump had business ties and several finalists were from countries where ratings were consistently high, according to the New Yorker.
Miss Universe 2013 was Gabriela Isler from Venezuela, a country that had a contestant in the finals 16 times under Trump’s 19 years with Miss Universe.
Venezuela also donated $500,000 to Trump’s inauguration fund, despite their economic turmoil, according to an April 2017 report from CNBC.