After she made headlines for an interview she did with Marie Claire that was published Monday, Paris Hilton has apologized for defending Donald Trump when speaking to the magazine. "I want to apologize for my comments from an interview I did last year," she says in a statement released to Bustle via her rep. "They were part of a much larger story and I am regretful that they were not delivered in the way I had intended." (Carmon tweeted that the interview took place two days after Trump won the 2016 election.)
Hilton's statement continues,
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. 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.
Bustle has reached out to Marie Claire regarding Hilton saying her comments were "misapplied," but has not received a response.
In the interview, Hilton defended Trump against his sexual accusers. (Trump has denied the claims of sexual abuse.) "I think that they are just trying to get attention and fame," she said. "I feel like, a lot of people, when something happens all these opportunists will come out. They want to get money or get paid to not say anything or get a settlement when nothing really happened."
Hilton's extended remarks were released via Twitter by Irin Carmon, who wrote the piece:
Hilton also said of Trump's "grab them by the p*ssy" comments: "I've heard guys say some pretty crazy things. Like, worse than that." She added, "I think it was kind of just one of those things where you're with someone — I've heard guys say the craziest things ever 'cuz I'm always around guys and I listen to them speak. So I definitely don't think he would just say that." It was a remark that sounded similar to the way Trump called the comments "locker room banter" in his apology.
What Hilton told the magazine wasn't OK, whatsoever, so it's great that she responded, because she needed to. However, what she said is also a bit disconcerting. The former Simple Life star appears to mean well, but it's unfortunate that she's not fully taking the blame for what she said. Saying her words were "misapplied almost a year later" really isn't owning it.
Hilton also doesn't apologize directly to the sexual assault accusers, who she basically called liars. This particular statement from Hilton was the most potentially harmful, especially since it's already hard enough for women to be taken seriously when they come forward with claims of sexual assault.
Hilton's apology doesn't make this situation better on its own. What she needs to do now is be sure to follow through on what she said by supporting women and girls in need and using her platform for positivity.
