Miss Mississippi USA Asya Branch has been crowned Miss USA 2020.
Branch, 22, was awarded the coveted title on Monday in a competition that finally aired live from Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. The event was postponed due to the global pandemic.
Before her impressive win, Branch made history when she became the first African American to be named Miss Mississippi USA. She was crowned by her predecessor, Miss USA 2019 Chelsie Kryst.
Branch has raised a few eyebrows from some as she is a proud Trump supporter. The beauty queen, who graduated from the University of Mississippi, also performed the national anthem at a Trump rally in her home state in October 2018.
During the competition, Branch presented her stance on gun laws in a final statement before judges crowned a winner.
“As someone who grew up in a home with guns, I learned at an early age how to load, how to fire, and gun safety. I think that education should be available to everyone,” she declared. “I believe that we should require people to pass training and safety courses before they’re allowed to purchase a gun and before receiving a permit. I think it’s important that we not ban guns…but I think it’s our Second Amendment right and we just need more safety surrounding that.”
She also expressed her feeling about the current “polarized” state of the country.
“I think this is an issue of trust,” Branch explained. “We’ve lost trust in the systems that seem to keep our country running, from the media to business to our government. And it’s all about restoring that trust and coming together and working together to heal and trust in these systems. If we want to continue to be the greatest nation, we’re going to have to set a better example.”
