If you believe what was breathlessly reported in the entertainment press, then 20 year old Miss USA 2006 Tara Connor, had been drinking, doing drugs and making out with another woman. Donald Trump, owner of the Miss USA pageant, thought that might be bad for business.
This is the same Donald Trump who’s ex-wife, Marla Maples, said, “Donald Trump is the best sex I ever had.” Now he’s worrying a girl-girl make out rumor might injure his beauty pageant.
Donald? Hello?
Anyway, the original plan was to throw her out. Then, she and The Donald spoke. Today, her repentance was announced at a televised press conference in New York.
This was a PR coup – really! There is no way it could have been calculated to come off this well. This wasn’t turning lemons into lemonade, this was turning lemons into platinum.
Tara cried huge tears and looked innocent and vulnerable. Donald Trump looked warm and fuzzy¹. It was on every TV newscast in America… quite possibly the world. It will be in every newspaper in the morning.
Watch the Miss USA ratings this year. Drugs, alcohol and the rumor of lesbian romance will erase any drop off in recent telecasts.
There is one part of the story that does bother me – rehab. I’m not saying rehab is a bad thing nor that she doesn’t need it. I have no personal experience, but the concept sounds efficacious.
I just worry rehab has become the last resort of scoundrels – a modern day ‘get out of jail free’ card. Look who’s gone recently!
Are they trying to rehabilitate people or a careers?
¹ – OK – he always looks a little fuzzy, but this is different.