Donald Trump regained some respect from me today, by tuning out all the dolts screaming for Carrie Prejean to lose her crown, and doing the right thing.

Donald Trump: 'Carrie will remain Miss California'

By Ann Oldenburg with staff contributions

Happening now: Donald Trump says Carrie Prejean's photos are "fine" and her crown will stay put. "Carrie will remain Miss California."

The Donald also said at this morning's press conference: "We had a little bit of a dilemma with Carrie, who is here, lovely, and gave a very, very honest answer when asked a very tough question (about gay marriage) at the recent pageant. It's the same answer the president of the U.S. gave, the same answer many people gave. It was probably a fair question because its asked of many people. If her beauty wasn't so great, nobody really would have cared. But that's not the way it worked out."

As for the semi-nude photos, he said, "We reviewed the pictures very carefully. We are in the 21st century. ... Carrie's a model, she's very successful. ... Some were beautiful, some were risqué. ... We've determined the pictures taken were acceptable, fine, and in many cases they were very lovely pictures."

Trump also hastened to add that NBC "will soon announce" it is extending its deal to air with the Miss USA pageant for another three years. And he said he "love" to have Perez Hilton, the judge who asked the gay marriage question, back next year. Perez immediately Tweeted, "Thanks, Donald, I'd love to be back next year!"

As for Carrie? Teary-eyed, she took the podium and defended the most recent batch of topless photos saying they were "taken in between posed shots on a windy day of which I was unaware." They were shots taken for her modeling career, "for application, not publication." She also said she spoke her mind at the Miss USA pageant when she said she believes marriage is between a man and a woman. "I was punished for doing so! This should not happen in this country."