Miss California USA Carrie Prejean Keeps Her Crown

Miss Universe pageant owner Donald Trump declares that Carrie Prejean will keep her crown and remain as Miss California USA.

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With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner -- decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean.

SOUNDBITE: Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - saying (English):

"Carrie will remain Miss California very importantly. When the paparazzi claps, you know that was a popular decision. I've never heard the paparazzi clap before."

In deciding that Prejean should keep her crown, Trump said that the Miss USA runner-up had given an honest answer to a tough question about same-sex marriage, and concluded that there's nothing wrong with the semi-nude pictures of her that have surfaced on the Internet.

SOUNDBITE: Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - saying (English):

"Carrie is totally beautiful. And her answer because of that took on greater importance. Unfortunately, that's the way the press works."

For her part, Prejean - who has become a fixture on American cable news - said she spoke her mind at the Miss USA pageant when she said she believes marriage is between a man and a woman.

SOUNDBITE: Miss California Carrie Prejean saying (English):

"Being at the center of a media firestorm is not something I had planned or signed up for. But the days since have taught me to stand up for what you believe in."

During the press conference, Prejean also defended the most recent batch of topless photos that have surfaced saying they were "taken in between posed shots on a windy day."

Trump appeared to revel in the publicity the controversy has garnered and at one point during the media event even paid tribute to Prejean's parents.

SOUNDBITE: Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - saying (English):

"This is Carrie's mother and Carrie's father. Stand up. Now you know why they produced a beautiful daughter."

Beauty pageant controversies seem to always whet the public's appetite. This one was no different - as the Donald Trump-Carrie Prejean press conference was covered live by every 24-hour cable news channel in America.

Jon Decker, Reuters.