If it weren't for the "controversies" over the last couple of years involving these beauty-contest winners, I'd have gone on assuming that those contests didn't even take place anymore.
I suspect much of this "controversy" is generated by the people involved in promoting these events. In fact, this has been Donald Trump's business model for years -- since he got into the entertainment business after it became clear that he wasn't terribly successful in real estate.
I agree... Trump lives for controversy, and, since he has taken over ownership of the franchise, these beauty pageants have been nothing but controversial. Trump laughs all the way to the bank.