The newly crowned Miss USA is a 26-year-old Army officer from D.C.
(L-R) Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber reacts as she is crowned Miss USA 2016 by Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber (L) is congratulated by Miss Teen USA 2016 Katherine Haik as she is named Miss USA 2016 during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber reacts as she is crowned Miss USA 2016 during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Constestants celebrate as Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber is crowned Miss USA 2016 during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber (L) and Miss Hawaii USA 2016 Chelsea Hardin embrace as Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber is named Miss USA 2016 during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber (L) and Miss Hawaii USA 2016 Chelsea Hardin hold hands as Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber is named Miss USA 2016 during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Hawaii USA 2016 Chelsea Hardin (R) competes in the interview portion as hosts Terrence J (L) and Julianne Hough (C) speak onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barber went on to be be named the new Miss USA.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Deshauna Barber is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Hawaii USA 2016 Chelsea Hardin is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss West Virginia USA 2016 Nichole Greene is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Top 15 finalist Miss Virginia USA 2016 Desi Williams walks onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Connecticut USA 2016 Tiffany Teixeira is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss California USA 2016 Nadia Mejia is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Georgia USA 2016 Emanii Davis is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Arkansas USA 2016 Abby Floyd is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Pennsylvania USA 2016 Elena LaQuatra stands onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Ohio USA 2016 Megan Wise is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Utah USA 2016 Teale Murdock stands onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Missouri USA 2016 Sydnee Stottlemyre is named a top 15 finalist during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss New York USA Serena Bucaj is introduced during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Host Julianne Hough (L) and model Ashley Graham speak onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Hosts Terrence J (L) and Julianne Hough speak onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Hosts Terrence J (L) and Julianne Hough speak onstage during the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Texas USA 2016 Daniella Rodriguez attends the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach attends the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
(L-R) Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Miss Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik attend the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
(L-R) Pageant judges Joe Zee, Crystle Stewart, Nigel Barker, Laura Brown and Ali Landry attend the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
(L-R) Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Farouk Systems founder Farouk Shami, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Miss Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik attend the 2016 Miss USA pageant at T-Mobile Arena on June 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss California USA Nadia Mejia competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss South Dakota USA Madison McKeown competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Illinois USA Zena Malak competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss New York USA Serena Bucaj competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss New Mexico USA Naomie Germain competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Oklahoma USA Taylor Gorton competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss South Carolina USA Leah Lawson competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Virginia USA Desi Williams competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss West Virginia USA Nichole Greene competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Miss Georgia USA Emanii Davis competes in the evening gown competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The newly crowned Miss USA is a 26-year-old Army officer from the District of Columbia who gave perhaps the strongest answer of the night when asked about women in combat.
“As a woman in the United States Army, I think … we are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I’m powerful, I am dedicated,” Deshauna Barber said. “Gender does not limit us in the United States.”
As the winner of Sunday’s 2016 Miss USA competition held at the T-Mobile Arena off the Las Vegas Strip, Barber will go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest.
Coming in second was Miss Hawaii, who punted during the question-and-answer segment when asked who she would vote for among the likely presidential candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton or former pageant owner Donald Trump, a Republican.
Chelsea Hardin acknowledged that there was no way to correctly answer the question during the beauty pageant. The question was framed with Clinton’s likely status of being the first woman nominated by a major political party for the White House. Hardin responded that gender doesn’t matter when deciding the next commander in chief. The 24-year-old college student from Honolulu simply said the new president should push for what’s right for the country.
The other women in the top five were asked about voting rights, income inequality and the recent death of sports icon Muhammad Ali.
Fan favorite Miss California, Nadia Grace Mejia, had stumbled and paused when answering a question about social and economic inequality. The 20-year-old model, who is the daughter of the 1990s one-hit-wonder singer known as “Rico Suave,” had also talked about suffering from anorexia and wanting to promote body confidence earlier in the show.
The Fox network carried the three-hour broadcast. Last year, the show aired on cable’s Reelz network.
The beauty pageant organization is bouncing back from a series of controversies last year, including a breakup with former owner Donald Trump and the mistaken crowning of Miss Universe.
At the start of Sunday’s show, Steve Harvey made a cameo in a video to poke fun of the Miss Universe crowning that he botched in December.
Harvey was hosting that event, also held in Las Vegas, and had mistakenly named Colombia’s Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo the winner before correcting himself on the stage. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines was then given the crown. Officials later said it was due to human error. The talk show host said he had re-read the card and noticed it said “first runner-up” next to the Colombia contestant’s name before clarifying with producers his mistake.
As for Trump — who didn’t appear at Sunday’s Miss USA pageant — the presumptive Republican presidential nominee wasn’t forgotten by viewers on social media.
Perhaps as polarizing as his policy views were the reactions to the Miss USA show on Twitter. Some commented that the event was less campy and more boring than previous years without the brash billionaire’s involvement, while others said they were glad to take in the guilty-pleasure show without supporting the businessman turned politician.
A year ago, Trump set off an ugly break up with The Miss Universe Organization, then co-owned by Trump and NBCUniversal. Trump offended Hispanics last June when he made anti-immigrant remarks in announcing his bid for the White House.
NBC, which had aired the pageant since 2003, quickly cut business ties with Trump and refused to carry the 2015 show it had already scheduled. The Spanish-language network Univision also pulled out of the broadcast for what would have been the first of five years airing the pageants.
Trump then sued both Univision and NBC.
He settled with NBC in September. Trump’s $500 million lawsuit against Univision claimed his First Amendment rights were violated, as well as claiming a breach of contract. That dispute was eventually settled, too.
The talent management company WME/IMG then acquired The Miss Universe Organization.
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Follow Sally Ho at twitter.com/_sallyho. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/sally-ho
