Ex-Miss Universe: Trump called me Miss Piggy
A former Miss Universe and Miss Venezuela revealed that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called her "Miss Piggy" and an "eating machine" after she had gained weight.
Venezuela native Alicia Machado won the Miss Universe contest in 1996 when she was 19, the same year that Mr Trump took over the pageant, reported NY Magazine.
However, she put on weight after her victory. Ms Machado said Mr Trump then insisted that she lose weight and took her to work out at a gym in front of a media gathering.
She said she had not been told that the media would be present.
"She weighed 118 pounds (53kg) or 117 pounds, and she went to 160 or 170," Mr Trump said to the media at that time, according to Inside Edition. "So this is somebody that likes to eat."
Ms Machado said the treatment included Mr Trump calling her "Miss Piggy". He also mocked her inability to speak English and called her "Miss Housekeeping".
She said his treatment wrecked her self-esteem, reported the Daily Mail.
And his appalling behaviour affected her mental health and caused her to suffer from eating disorders.
Mr Trump has a mixed history in his attitude towards women, with crude remarks mixed with efforts to foster the career of female employees, The New York Times reported.
One Miss USA contestant said that in 1997, Mr Trump, who was married to Marla Maples then, introduced himself and kissed her and other contestants on the lips, AFP reported.
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