WASHINGTON - Donald Trump, owner of the Miss Universe franchise, has finally broken his silence over the controversy surrounding Miss USA runner-up Carrie Prejean’s gay marriage comments.

Prejean made the remarks when judge Perez Hilton, an openly gay gossip blogger, asked whether she believed in gay marriage.

“We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised,” Fox News quoted Prejean as responding to the question.

Her comments led to a huge furore, with many arguing that the answer cost Prejean the crown.

But now, Trump-who had been mum during the firestorm following the teleacst of the pageant on April 19- has finally said that he has received thousands of calls and letters, the majority of which support Miss California’s comments on gay marriage.

He even said that Kristen Dalton, winner of the crown, deserved to win.

“I am very honored that she won. She really did a fantastic job … She was doing well on every single card and she really did answer also a very, very tough question very well,” said Trump.

He even defended Prejean by disagreeing with Hilton’s assertion that it was the worst answer in the history of the Miss USA pageant.

“Miss California has done a wonderful job, that was her belief … It wasn’t a bad answer, that was simply her belief,’ he said.

Trump added that Prejean’s question was “a bit unlucky,” arguing that no matter how she answered the question “she was going to get killed.”

In an earlier interview, Prejean said that she believes her question cost her the crown. (ANI)