Miss USA viewers outraged as runner-up Miss Hawaii is asked if she would vote for Clinton or Trump... and even claim 'inappropriate question' ROBBED her of the crown
- Viewers left outraged after Miss Hawaii was asked who she would vote for
- Runner-up was praised for saying there was 'no way to correctly answer'
- Fans of the beauty pageant took to social media to vent their fury
- Judge Laura Brown wrote on Twitter: 'I asked the question I was given'
Miss USA Pageant viewers weren't impressed when Miss Hawaii was asked who she would vote for in the upcoming presidential election.
Miss Hawaii Chelsea Hardin, who lost to Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber, was asked whether she would vote for Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton.
There was a social media frenzy following the question during the pageant that was held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, on Sunday evening.
Some viewers even claim the 'inappropriate question' robbed Miss Hawaii of the crown.
Miss Hawaii Chelsea Hardin was asked whether she would vote for Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton
Outrage: There was a social media frenzy following the question during the Miss USA pageant
Judge Laura Brown asked Chelsea Hardin: 'If the election were held tomorrow, would you vote Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump for president, and why would you choose one over the other?'
The 24-year-old college student from Honolulu avoided choosing, saying gender didn't matter when deciding the next commander in chief, but she said the new president should push for what's right for the country.
She said: 'It doesn't matter what gender, what we need in the United States is someone who represents those of us who don't feel like we have a voice, those of us who want our voices heard.
'We need a president to push for what is right, and push for what America really needs.'
[oddschecker]Hardin later acknowledged that there was no way to correctly answer the question during the beauty pageant. It was framed with Clinton's likely status of being the first woman nominated by a major political party for the White House.
But fans and viewers condemned the choice of question, saying it was unfair to ask her to reveal who she would vote for.
Miss Hawaii Chelsea Hardin (left) came in second to winner Deshauna Barber of the District of Columbia (pictured with Miss Hawaii, right)
Fans and viewers took to social media to condemn the choice of question, saying it was unfair to ask her to reveal who she would vote for
'When you vote for president, your ballot is secret. Completely inappropriate #MissUSA question, but #MissHawaii answered gracefully,' said Brandie Piper.
Madeline Langdon added: ''I'm embarrassed for the entire #MissUSA organization. Asking a contestant who they would vote for is absolutely inappropriate.'
Others suggested that the question may have cost Miss Hawaii the crown, with one person commenting: 'Wonder what would have happened if Miss DC got Miss Hawaii's question??? #MissUSA2016'
Brown later addressed the controversy herself, writing on Twitter: 'Hi guys. I asked the question I was given and Miss Hawaii answered beautifully.'
Miss USA Deshauna Barber (left) will now go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest
Miss USA Deshauna Barber will now go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest.
Barber, who works as an IT analyst for the US Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. as well as a Logistics Commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit at Fort Meade, Maryland, broke down in tears when she won.
The 26-year-old, whose mother, father, brother and sister have also served in the army, claimed the title after giving a strong answer when asked about women in combat, saying that gender doesn't limit women in America.
Barber said that women are just as tough as men during the question-and-answer segment, adding: 'As a commander of my unit, I'm powerful, I am dedicated. Gender does not limit us in the United States.'
Barber, who is the first-ever member of the military to win Miss USA, says she'll be taking a break from the Army Reserves to juggle her new duties.
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