The 2016 presidential election was a tumultuous one, and many Americans were loudly in favor of one candidate over the others. In the case of one particular celebrity, the preference she shared with the public wasn't actually true. Socialite and heiress Paris Hilton reveals in her new memoir that she lied after the election about voting for Donald Trump, because of family and personal ties to him. Read on to find out what she had to say about the former president and why she felt compelled to keep her real actions a secret.
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Hilton said she voted for Trump in 2016.
lev radin / ShutterstockAs reported by Variety, in November 2016, Hilton was asked if she voted for Trump during an Australian TV interview. She responded, "I’ve known him since [I was] a little girl—so, yes."
On the day of the election, TMZ had asked the star if she would be voting for Trump, and she claimed that she had already voted. Pressed to reveal who she had cast her ballot for, Hilton answered, "My mother told me to never talk about politics or money."
She felt that she had to lie about it.
HarperCollins PublishersIn her autobiography, Paris: The Memoir, Hilton explains why she did what she did after the election.
"When I was put on the spot in an interview, I pretended I voted for Donald Trump because he was an old family friend and owned the first modeling agency I signed with," the 42-year-old writes (via NME). She also brings up leaving Trump's modeling agency and claims, "He was furious and intimidated the [expletive] out of me on the phone."
Best Life has reached out to Trump for comment but has not received a response.
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The truth of the matter is "worse," she says.
Kathy Hutchins / ShutterstockHilton admits in her book that she regrets the choice she actually made during the 2016 election year.
“The truth is even worse,” she writes. “I didn’t vote at all."
She opens up about having regrets for things she's done and said in her life. "Am I standing by these choices? Would I make the same choices again, knowing what I know now? Of course not!" Hilton continues.
She's defended the former president.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for European School of Economics FoundationIn an interview with Marie Claire published in August 2017 but conducted in November 2016, Hilton confessed that she didn't vote. She also said that she didn't agree with everything Trump said when she was confronted with his statement that Mexican immigrants were "bringing crime" and are "rapists."
But, she also defended the former president and called him "an incredible businessman." She added, "I've known him since I was a little girl. And he's always been so nice, so respectful and sweet."
Hilton has dismissed other offensive comments made by Trump, including about her. The magazine brought up the former Apprentice host recounting the time he met Hilton when she was 12 years old, saying he thought she was "beautiful" at the time, and admitting he'd seen her sex tape. The socialite shrugged it off, according to Marie Claire, because it happened on The Howard Stern Show.
In response to Trump's infamous "grab them by the [expletive]" quote, she said, "I've heard guys say the craziest things ever, because I'm always around guys, and I listen to them speak." Hilton also dismissed the many women who've accused the former president of sexual harassment and sexual assault, saying, "I think that they are just trying to get attention and get fame."
Trump has denied all allegations.
Hilton apologized after the interview came out.
Kathy Hutchins / ShutterstockHilton later walked back her comments, highlighting that the interview was conducted nine months before it was published.
"I want to apologize for my comments from an interview I did last year. They were part of a much larger story and I am regretful that they were not delivered in the way I had intended," read her statement to Us Weekly.
“I was speaking about my own experiences in life and the role of media and fame in our society and it was never my intention for my comments to be misapplied almost a year later," she said. "I always believe in helping women have their voices heard and helping create an environment where women feel empowered and believe in themselves. I am deeply hurt by how this has played out and also deeply sorry. Moving forward I will continue to do what I can to be an advocate for girls and women with the hopes of providing a louder voice for those who may desperately need it."
