Trump Says Miss California USA Can Retain Crown

FILE -- In this April 26, 2009 file photo, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, waves as she comes on stage at the Rock Church during services in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)

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Miss California USA can retain her crown despite controversies over semi-nude photographs taken of her as a teenager and her association with a conservative advocacy group for marriage, pageant owner Donald Trump said Tuesday.

Carrie Prejean's comments about her opposition to same-sex marriage ignited a media firestorm after a celebrity judge suggested her response may have cost her the Miss USA title; she finished as first-runner up. The photos surfaced later and led to the review of her state title.

"We've reviewed the pictures carefully," Trump said at a packed news conference at Trump Plaza in New York City. "We've made a determination that the pictures taken were acceptable. Some were risque, but we are in the 21st century."

Trump also defended the answer Prejean gave at the April 19 Miss USA pageant. She was asked her view of marriage by blogger Perez Hilton. Prejean said she believes marriage is between a man and a woman.

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"It's the same answer the president of the United States gave," Trump said. "It's the same answer many people gave. She gave an honorable answer. She gave an answer from her heart, and I think for that she has to be commended."

Trump only briefly addressed questions surrounding Prejean's association with the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes same-sex marriage. He dismissed them as a "communication problem" between Prejean and California pageant officials.

"I use the term 'miscommunication' somewhat loosely," Trump said, "but they were having miscommunication. The communication problem, I believe, is totally solved."

Before competing in the Miss California USA competition, all prospective contestants are required to sign a detailed 12-page contract prohibiting Miss California USA from making personal appearances, giving interviews or making commercials without permission from pageant officials.

The contract also contains a clause asking participants to disclose whether they have conducted themselves "in accordance with the highest ethical and moral standards." It asks participants whether they have ever been photographed nude or partially nude.