What exact quote did Trump use when referring to entering beauty pageant dressing rooms and when/where did he say it?

Checked on December 17, 2025
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Executive summary

Donald Trump told Howard Stern in April 2005 that “before a show, I’ll go backstage and everyone’s getting dressed, and everything else, and, you know, no men are anywhere, and I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant and therefore I’m inspecting it,” a line widely quoted in reporting and fact-checking of

Executive summary

Donald Trump told Howard Stern in April 2005 that “before a show, I’ll go backstage and everyone’s getting dressed, and everything else, and, you know, no men are anywhere, and I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant and therefore I’m inspecting it,” a line widely quoted in reporting and fact-checking of

Want to dive deeper?
What is the full transcript surrounding Trump's comment about entering beauty pageant dressing rooms?
Which news outlets first reported Trump's dressing-room comment and when did they air it?
Has Trump ever clarified or denied the quote about beauty pageant dressing rooms in later interviews or statements?
How did contestants and pageant organizers respond to Trump's comment about entering dressing rooms?
Are there audio or video recordings of Trump making the dressing-room remark and where can they be accessed?