After subsequently winning the crown the new Miss America said she had not cared what the impact of her answer would be on her chances.

She told journalists: "I wasn't really afraid if my opinion wasn't the opinion of my judges.

"Miss America needs to have an opinion, and she needs to know what's happening in the current climate."

Miss Mund, who is about to start a law degree, also dismissed concerns that Mr Trump might criticise her on Twitter.

She said: "He is our president and we need to support him. I may not agree with all of his opinions, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to support the president."