Donald the Hutt or Miss Piggy's Revenge
Alicia Machado was 18 years old when she won the title of Miss Universe, better known as the most beautiful woman in the world. It was 1996 and ownership of the international beauty pageant had recently been secured by billionaire presidential candidate and Jabba the Hutt look-alike, Donald Trump.
Some people were surprised when Trump added the pageant to his portfolio of real estate, luxury office buildings, business parks, golf courses, hotels, gambling casinos, television production companies, exclusive wines, signature apparel and other properties. Others who were familiar with the Donald's dalliances and his multiple marriages knew that the pageant acquisition was par for the course. Mr. Trump, who makes millions from licensing the Trump name, likes to collect beautiful things, especially beautiful women. Like the aforementioned Hutt, he was known as a well-heeled fat-cat, a high-powered wheeler-dealer with questionable ethics and deep media contacts. Mr. Trump's approval could change the life of a cooperative young woman eager to get ahead.
Unfortunately, Trump is also someone who habitually insults, objectifies and degrades women, a proclivity highlighted by his treatment of Miss Universe winner Machado. After her pageant victory, Ms. Machado ditched her pageant diet; she quickly began putting on weight, which did not meet with the approval of the Trumpster. Miss U was forced to engage in a humiliating public exercise regime. She suffered verbal abuse, such as being called "Miss Piggy," the "Eating Machine" and other epithets that left her depressed and subject to an eating disorder.
Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton brought the Venezuelan beauty's story onto the national stage during the first presidential debate, igniting a media storm that injected Machado into the national conversation. True to form, when the story reached cable news it was quickly elevated to a top spot on the news cycle's carousel of continually repeated "Breaking News."
Speculation quickly spread as pundits began to anticipate the impact of "Jabba and the Beauty Queen" on the race for the White House. Women (especially those who are white and educated) are a a critical demographic in the contest for commander-in-chief. Fat-shaming, a wide-spread practice in our culture, is loathed by most women regardless of political affiliation.
True to his reputation, Mr. Trump went on the offensive with a barrage of Tweets, attacking Machado as if she were a key player in the presidential election. The Machado story has succeeded in interrupting the national debate for a week It would appear to be another dunderheaded move in Trump's seemingly endless campaign to alienate the very segments of the electorate that he needs the most. Many of the nation's opinion makers wondered if the story would mark the turning point, the long awaited event that would signal the end for Trump's fractured fairy tale.
Now, 20 years after the beauty pageant, the one-time Miss Venezuela, who describes herself as an actress and model, has the satisfaction of knowing that the publicity will almost certainly boost her career now that her image and her name has been seen by millions of people world wide. Where will it lead for Ms. Machado? Perhaps a juicy book deal, a secret tell-all about what went on behind the scenes with Mr. Trump? Maybe a movie offer, or a "spread in Playboy?"
Now an American citizen, Alicia Machado has said she will cast her first vote for Hillary Clinton.
Some people were surprised when Trump added the pageant to his portfolio of real estate, luxury office buildings, business parks, golf courses, hotels, gambling casinos, television production companies, exclusive wines, signature apparel and other properties. Others who were familiar with the Donald's dalliances and his multiple marriages knew that the pageant acquisition was par for the course. Mr. Trump, who makes millions from licensing the Trump name, likes to collect beautiful things, especially beautiful women. Like the aforementioned Hutt, he was known as a well-heeled fat-cat, a high-powered wheeler-dealer with questionable ethics and deep media contacts. Mr. Trump's approval could change the life of a cooperative young woman eager to get ahead.
Unfortunately, Trump is also someone who habitually insults, objectifies and degrades women, a proclivity highlighted by his treatment of Miss Universe winner Machado. After her pageant victory, Ms. Machado ditched her pageant diet; she quickly began putting on weight, which did not meet with the approval of the Trumpster. Miss U was forced to engage in a humiliating public exercise regime. She suffered verbal abuse, such as being called "Miss Piggy," the "Eating Machine" and other epithets that left her depressed and subject to an eating disorder.
Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton brought the Venezuelan beauty's story onto the national stage during the first presidential debate, igniting a media storm that injected Machado into the national conversation. True to form, when the story reached cable news it was quickly elevated to a top spot on the news cycle's carousel of continually repeated "Breaking News."
Speculation quickly spread as pundits began to anticipate the impact of "Jabba and the Beauty Queen" on the race for the White House. Women (especially those who are white and educated) are a a critical demographic in the contest for commander-in-chief. Fat-shaming, a wide-spread practice in our culture, is loathed by most women regardless of political affiliation.
True to his reputation, Mr. Trump went on the offensive with a barrage of Tweets, attacking Machado as if she were a key player in the presidential election. The Machado story has succeeded in interrupting the national debate for a week It would appear to be another dunderheaded move in Trump's seemingly endless campaign to alienate the very segments of the electorate that he needs the most. Many of the nation's opinion makers wondered if the story would mark the turning point, the long awaited event that would signal the end for Trump's fractured fairy tale.
Now, 20 years after the beauty pageant, the one-time Miss Venezuela, who describes herself as an actress and model, has the satisfaction of knowing that the publicity will almost certainly boost her career now that her image and her name has been seen by millions of people world wide. Where will it lead for Ms. Machado? Perhaps a juicy book deal, a secret tell-all about what went on behind the scenes with Mr. Trump? Maybe a movie offer, or a "spread in Playboy?"
Now an American citizen, Alicia Machado has said she will cast her first vote for Hillary Clinton.
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