CBS ‘Early Show’ Continues Drumbeat Against Miss California

At the top of Tuesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Harry Smith declared: "Oops, she did it again. More semi-nude photos of Miss California surface. So will Donald Trump be forced to say, 'you're fired'?" Later, co-host Julie Chen teased the upcoming segment by exclaiming: "Well, up next, more semi-nude photos of Miss California leak onto the internet. So will Donald Trump end her reign today?"

Correspondent Bianca Solorzano reported on Trump’s awaited decision: "Even more semi-nude photos of Carrie Prejean surfaced overnight, adding fuel to a fire that's been building for days. The controversy kicked off when Prejean opposed gay marriage at the Miss USA pageant. In a radio interview, Prejean said the question tested her faith...But there were other temptations. Breast implants paid for by the pageant. And racy photos. Still, Prejean remains the poster girl for conservative causes." A clip was played of an TV ad from the National Organization for Marriage that featured Prejean.

Solorzano went on to explain: "Monday, the directors of the state pageant were clearly angry with Prejean." A clip was played of Miss California USA Co-executive Director Keith Lewis taking a shot at Prejean and the "conservative causes" she has been a part of: "Up until now, we have just been riding along pretty much a passenger on this runaway train. But as of today, that ends...Shame, shame, shame. Shame for taking this young woman and exploiting her to further your own agenda."

Solorzano offered a brief defense of Prejean: "But Prejean's mom says her daughter is the one being exploited, telling momlogic.com, Carrie is, quote, 'being persecuted for speaking her opinion.'" On Monday's show, Miss Rhode Island Alysha Castonguay similarly argued: "I think it's from the answer that she gave that night onstage. And, you know, I think that everybody needs to be prepared to hear both ways that that question could've been answered. It was her opinion." Solorzano then concluded her report: "In the meantime, local officials have already embraced the runner-up." Later Tuesday morning Donald Trump decided not to take away Prejean’s title as Miss California.

Here is the full transcript of the segment:

7:00AM TEASE:

HARRY SMITH: Oops, she did it again. More semi-nude photos of Miss California surface. So will Donald Trump be forced to say, 'you're fired'?

7:13AM TEASE:

JULIE CHEN: Also ahead, more semi-nude pictures of Miss California have been uncovered. So will Donald Trump now be forced to dethrone the beauty queen?

7:20AM TEASE:

SMITH: Alright, coming up in our next half hour, Miss California in more hot water.

7:30AM TEASE:

CHEN: Coming up in this half hour, Miss California's reign may be in serious jeopardy. Now that more semi-nude photos have been uncovered. It is a decision Donald Trump is expected to make today. Does she keep her crown as Miss California, or doesn't she?

7:37AM TEASE:

CHEN: Well, up next, more semi-nude photos of Miss California leak onto the internet. So will Donald Trump end her reign today?

7:40AM SEGMENT:

JULIE CHEN: Miss California, Carrie Prejean, has been under fire ever since she competed in the Miss USA pageant. And this morning, new semi-nude photos of her have emerged just as Donald Trump is expected to announce whether she gets to keep her title. CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano reports.

BIANCA SOLORZANO: Billionaire Donald Trump is known for quick decisions that sometimes end in two ominous words.

DONALD TRUMP: You're fired.

SOLORZANO: Now everyone's waiting to see if he'll use those two words to strip Miss California of her crown. Even more semi-nude photos of Carrie Prejean surfaced overnight, adding fuel to a fire that's been building for days. The controversy kicked off when Prejean opposed gay marriage at the Miss USA pageant. In a radio interview, Prejean said the question tested her faith.

CARRIE PREJEAN: I felt as though Satan was trying to tempt me, and -- and asked me this question and then God was in my head and in my heart saying 'Carrie, do not compromise this.'

SOLORZANO: But there were other temptations. Breast implants paid for by the pageant. And racy photos. Still, Prejean remains the poster girl for conservative causes.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN [NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE AD]: Help support marriage with your donation.

SOLORZANO: Monday, the directors of the state pageant were clearly angry with Prejean.

KEITH LEWIS [CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MISS CALIFORNIA USA]: Up until now, we have just been riding along pretty much a passenger on this runaway train. But as of today, that ends.

SOLORZANO: And angry with those around her.

LEWIS: Shame, shame, shame. Shame for taking this young woman and exploiting her to further your own agenda.

SOLORZANO: But Prejean's mom says her daughter is the one being exploited, telling momlogic.com, Carrie is, quote, 'being persecuted for speaking her opinion.' In the meantime, local officials have already embraced the runner-up. Bianca Solorzano, CBS News, New York.