LAS VEGAS – Magician and Miss USA judge Penn Jillette says he's happy a pageant queen from Tennessee lost to Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella because her onstage answer to a question about burning Qurans ran afoul of the First Amendment.
The vocal half of illusionist duo Penn and Teller says on Twitter that he's glad to have helped Miss Tennessee USA Ashley Durham lose the competition on Sunday night.
Durham responded to a question about whether burning religious items should be afforded the same constitutional protections as flag burning by saying it crossed a line and shouldn't be allowed.
Durham said in a statement Tuesday that she's disappointed with Jillette's comments. She says it's uncalled for that he would delight in shooting down her dreams.
Durham placed second in the pageant.
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