Donald Trump weighs in on Steve Harvey’s Miss Universe mistake, suggests crowning co-winners
“It was a terrible error, but things happen — it’s live television.”
Like millions of other stunned television viewers, Donald Trump is weighing on the epically awkward ending to Sunday's Miss Universe competition, saying the producers should have crowned two winners after host Steve Harvey misread his cue card and announced Miss Colombia as the winner of the 2015 pageant, correcting himself moments later and crowning the actual winner, Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
"Hey folks, I have to apologize," Harvey informed viewers as Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez Arevalo, was waving and posing for photos with the crown. "The first runner-up is Colombia. Miss Universe 2015 is ... Philippines."
Trump, the former owner of the Miss Universe pageant, initially tweeted that the snafu "would never have happened" on his watch.
Very sad what happened last night at the Miss Universe Pageant. I sold it 6 months ago for a record price. This would never have happened!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2015
But in an interview on the "Today" show Monday, Trump was a bit more understanding.
"Steve Harvey is a great guy. It was a terrible error," he said. "But things happen — it's live television."
The Republican frontrunner then suggested both Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines ought to be awarded the 2015 Miss Universe crown.
"I think I'd make them a co-winner," Trump said. "It would be very cool."
During the broadcast, Trump encouraged his Twitter followers to tune in, praising the pageant's new owners, IMG.
.@MissUniverse final 3 on now. Great people, great new owner @IMG. WATCH.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2015
In a statement, the pageant apologized to the contestants and viewers for what it described as a "human error" that occurred during "the excitement of live TV."
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 21, 2015
Actress Niecy Nash, one of the pageant's judges, posted a video of the chaos that ensued.
Pandemonium! the wrong name was called but host @IAmSteveHarvey handled it well! #MissUniverse2015 #MsPhilippines pic.twitter.com/Kyd6FjquvF
— Niecy Nash (@NiecyNash) December 21, 2015
Harvey, for his part, was apologetic, tweeting an apology for his "terribly honest human mistake" to both contestants — though at first he misspelled both the Philippines and Colombia.
Harvey subsequently deleted the tweet, posting a correctly spelled mea culpa.
I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing.
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015
While many viewers — particularly those rooting for Miss Colombia — were outraged, others were sympathetic.
Live TV is tough and mistakes happen.@IAmSteveHarvey took responsibility and nobody got hurt. Nobody better.
— Al Roker (@alroker) December 21, 2015
Breaking: @IAmSteveHarvey is human and apologized for a mistake he made. We now return to your mistake-free life.
— Russell (@RussJordan) December 21, 2015
Steve Harvey made a mistake tonight, we've all made mistakes in our careers & lives. @IAmSteveHarvey keep the faith and keep going strong!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 21, 2015
Several pointed to the cue card Harvey misread as a mistake just waiting to happen.
The ballot card that gave Steve Harvey problems pic.twitter.com/RE9CyTlNIx
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) December 21, 2015
@IAmSteveHarvey worst cue card ever... Blame poor design Steve
— Trevor Long (@trevorlong) December 21, 2015
@SantiValamar @IAmSteveHarvey poor formatting, no consistency - it's a nightmare
— Trevor Long (@trevorlong) December 21, 2015
Of course, there's a bright side to such an epic mixup.
In defense of @IAmSteveHarvey, nobody has talked this much about #MissUniverse in decades.
— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) December 21, 2015
If Steve Harvey didn't mess up, I wouldn't have even known Miss Universe was still a thing.
— Laina (@laina622) December 21, 2015