Kataluna Enriquez, who made history as the first openly transgender Miss USA competitor, was ultimately cut before the round of 16, according to NBC News.
Elle Smith, a reporter from Kentucky, won the Miss USA title.
“Congratulations to Elle Smith on being crowned Miss USA! You make our commonwealth proud. My family, my staff, and I can’t wait to cheer you on as you compete for Miss Universe!” Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky tweeted.
Earlier this year, Enriquez, who is a biological male, won Miss Nevada USA.
During a report about that victory, KVVU-TV claimed that Enriquez “is redefining what it means to be a woman and what it means to be beautiful.”
The appearance of an openly transgender contestant at the Miss USA contest comes amid ongoing societal debate over transgender ideology, including over matters such as whether biological males should be allowed to use female restrooms or compete in athletic events designated for females.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire has authored a children’s book that takes aim at radical leftist gender ideology through a story about a boy who pretends to be a walrus. The book currently sits at number 3 on the Amazon Best Sellers list.
“There are dozens of children’s books brainwashing kids into the gender identity cult where they are taught that identity is malleable and biology is meaningless,” Walsh noted, according to the Daily Wire. “This book is meant to be an antidote to that madness.”