Trump Boasts He Understands Venezuela Because ‘Miss Venezuela Always Did Very Well’ in Miss Universe Pageant

President Donald Trump bragged on Friday to reporters at the White House that he understands the political situation in Venezuela because “Miss Venezuela always did very well” in the Miss Universe pageant, which the president formerly owned.

Venezuela remains in political limbo after the U.S. seized former President Nicolás Maduro in January over allegations he rigged the country’s 2024 election. While the Maduro government has remained in place, the ruling party and opposition resumed negotiations last month for the first time since the disputed vote.

Asked by a reporter, who noted that Venezuelans are “very happy with you,” about when Trump plans to hold elections, he responded, “They’re not really ready for them yet, but boy, a lot of progress has been made. [Acting President] Delcy [Rodríguez] has been doing a fantastic job, as you know.”

Trump went on to tout oil exports from the country, claiming “all the big companies,” including ExxonMobil, are “going there.”

“The amount of money being made by Venezuela now is more than they’ve ever made before,” the president said. “And we’re taking a lot also for, you know, our efforts… We’ve paid for the war many times over. It’s been an amazing fact. And, as you say, I’m very popular in Venezuela.”

Promising the country is “becoming extremely successful” and that “it was dead before we got there,” Trump reiterated, “They’re not ready yet for the elections, but at some point they will be, and we’re gonna be standing right on top of them.”

Next, the president veered off course, referencing the Miss Universe pageant, which he owned from 1996 to 2015, and boasting, “For a long time, I’ve known their country and, you know, I own the Miss Universe pageant and Miss Venezuela always did very well in that pageant, so I know something about the country.”

Watch the full clip above via Fox News.

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