Voice Of Post

As Gossip Cop reported, McCullough of the District of Columbia was crowned the Miss USA 2017 winner at Sunday’s pageant. She caused a stir, however, during the question-and-answer portion of the competition, when she said affordable healthcare is a privilege, not a right. Many on social media criticized that conservative viewpoint, which she now addressed live on “Good Morning America.”

Michael Strahan brought up the issue by asking McCullough if she was “surprised” by the online reaction. “Not at all,” she responded. “That’s what America is based on, like having opinions and views. But I would like to take this moment to truly just clarify, because I am a woman. I’m gonna own what I said.”

McCullough then explained, “I am privileged to have healthcare, and I do believe that it should be a right, and I hope and pray moving forward that healthcare is a right for all worldwide.” Asked if she would give a different answer if she could go back, the beauty queen stated, “I would love to clarify, really hone in on a couple of those suffixes and everything. Let them know, ‘Hey, I am privileged to have healthcare.’ And I just want people to see where I was coming from. Having a job, I have to look at healthcare like it is a privilege.”

Strahan also asked the nuclear chemist about preferring “equalism” to “feminism,” another comment from the ceremony that sparked discussion. She replied that the former is “more of a term of understanding no matter your gender, you are still kind of just given the same accolades on your work. I believe [if] a person does a good job, they should be credited for that. But I don’t want anyone to look at it as if I’m not all about women’s rights, because I am.”

She went on, “We deserve a lot when it comes to opportunity in the workplace, as well as just like leadership positions. And I’ve seen and witnessed first-hand the impact that women have.” On a lighter note, McCullough said of her victory, “It’s still surreal. I’m extremely thankful for this entire experience. It’s probably going to sink in maybe immediately after this interview we’re having.”