Danish Miss Universe attended Trump’s inauguration: “A bad day at work”

Victoria Kjær Theilvig, Denmark’s first-ever Miss Universe, has described attending Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential inauguration as “a bad day at work,” Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The 21-year-old from Herlev, who won the global pageant in 2023, was contractually obligated to attend the event as part of her year-long role. Though she disagreed with Trump’s policies—including his controversial remarks about Greenland—she chose not to speak out publicly.

“I didn’t post anything or comment on it because I knew how it would look,” Theilvig told DR. “Like it or not, I had to be there.”

Her attendance came amid diplomatic tensions between Denmark and the U.S., following Trump’s repeated claims that American control over Greenland was an “absolute necessity.” His son, Donald Trump Jr., had also made a widely publicized visit to the Danish territory.

Theilvig’s duties as Miss Universe included high-profile meetings with world leaders, including a “courtesy visit” with Japan’s then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. But she emphasized that her role also involved humanitarian work, such as visiting children’s hospitals, which she valued equally.

Frustrated by 16-hour workdays and limited influence over her schedule, Theilvig pushed back against the organization, demanding better working conditions. “It was incredibly important for me to set boundaries and say, ‘There need to be fewer working hours, and I need more say in what I do,’” she said.

Now that her reign has ended, Theilvig hinted at a possible future in politics. “I have a lot of opinions and I’m not afraid to voice them,” she said. “Maybe in a few years—who knows?”

Miss Universe, one of the world’s largest beauty pageants, requires its winner to serve as a global ambassador for the brand. The competition, first held in 1952, was previously owned by Trump before being acquired by a Thai conglomerate.