Miss USA 2017: Kara McCullough, 25, wins the crown, gets slammed for conservative comments

THE 25-YEAR-OLD scientist who clinched the Miss USA 2017 crown stunned everyone with her bikini body — and then her bold comments.

Miss South Carolina Megan Gordon (left) and Miss New Jersey Chhavi Verg (right) cheer on Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough (centre), who clinched the pageant. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

A DISTRICT of Columbia scientist who works for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been crowned Miss USA — after sparking outrage with controversial comments about political issues.

Kara McCullough, 25, caused a firestorm after giving conservative answers to questions during the competition — saying she wasn’t a feminist and that she thought people need to have a job to have health care, The New York Post reports.

“I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,” Ms McCullough said, when asked if access to medical care was a right, as Democrats argue, or a privilege, as many American conservatives say.

Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough has been crowned Miss USA 2017. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough stunned with her bikini body — and conservative comments. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

She then added: “As a government employee, I’m granted health care and I see first-hand that for one to have health care, you need to have job.”

Later in the competition, Ms McCullough and two other challengers were asked to explain what they consider feminism to be and whether they consider themselves feminists.

Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough celebrates her victory. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Miss District of Columbia replied that she likes to “transpose” the word feminism to “equalism.”

“I don’t want to call myself a feminist,” Ms McCullough said. “Women, we are just as equal as men, especially in the workplace.”

McCullough, who graduated with a chemistry degree from South Carolina State University, said after the contest: “I believe we’ve come a long way and there is more work to be done. I think domestically we are making progress and I do believe that we will become equal one day.”

Kara McCullough, 25, works for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

#MissUSA trended on Twitter, as many users criticised her answers.

“#MissUSA Miss DC just lost me with that answer ... Affordable healthcare is a privilege? Girl bye,” tweeted a user named @dazella_may.

“DC just disqualified herself with that answer #MissUSA,” a user named Keeni Rodgers added.

DC just disqualified herself with that answer #MissUSA

— Keeni Rodgers (@keeniz__) May 15, 2017

#MissUSA Miss DC just lost me with that answer....Affordable healthcare is a privilege? Girl bye. pic.twitter.com/Q5mU7PIlx1

— Kat 🤗❤ (@dazella_may) May 15, 2017

Others rushed to defend her.

“Black people hating on #MissUSA because of conservative positions need to stop acting like owned brainwashed slaves to the left,” a user named Darnell Wesh said of Ms McCullough, who is African-American.

Black people hating on #MissUSA because of conservative positions need to stop acting like owned brainwashed slaves to the left.

— Darnell Wesh (@cross_bearer89) May 15, 2017

She will go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest.

“I’m extremely thankful for this opportunity,” she said after the event, which was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday.

“I just want to encourage so many women nationwide to find their passion in any subject possible and understand that nothing is difficult if you really, truly put the work in for it.”

Women compete at the 2017 Miss USA pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

This story originally appeared in The New York Post and has been republished here with permission.

Originally published as Miss USA 2017: Kara McCullough, 25, wins the crown, gets slammed for conservative comments