New Miss Florida USA Crowned, Trump An Afterthought
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A new Miss Florida USA was crowned Saturday night, and her win wasn't overshadowed by the controversial Donald Trump – who is part owner of the Miss Universe organization.
Leading up to the competition, every contestant agreed the last thing they were thinking about was the Trump.
Trump recently called Mexican immigrants "rapists, criminals and drug dealers" during his speech announcing he was running for president.
"Personally I don't agree with the comments that he made, but I do feel that everyone's entitled to their opinion," said Miss Florida USA 2014 winner Brittany Oldehoff. "I think that he took it a little too far with what he said."
The state pageant played out seamlessly in Fort Lauderdale. The contest one of the 51 that feeds Miss USA and Miss Universe. In the end, 25-year-old Brie Gabrielle of Palm Beach took home the honors of Miss Florida.
"The Miss Universe organization is for empowering women," said Miss Florida USA 2013 winner Michelle Aguirre. "It's such a good organization to work with and I think that trump just has a small part."
Within the last two weeks, several companies cut their business ties with Trump because of those comments.
NBCUniversal, Univision and Macy's are among those who dumped Trump – estimated to be costing him millions of dollars.
But as Trump told CNN recently, he stands by what he said.
"It is rape and it is happening," he said. "It's a lot of money, but fortunately I'm very rich. It doesn't matter to me."
At the pageant all the ladies moved, not letting anything anyone said get in their way.
"I am Latina, I'm of Cuban descent and his words were hurtful. I don't think it was right for him to take it that far. But I won't let that affect me," said Aguirre.