SAN DIEGO -- Donald Trump gave Carrie Prejean an early birthday present Tuesday, announcing she will retain her Miss California USA crown and Miss USA runner-up status despite the appearance of semi-nude pictures of the San Diego native on the Internet.

Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant, said in a news conference in New York City that the photos of Prejean, who turns 22 Wednesday, were "fine" and some were even "beautiful."

The issue, however, was not strictly the pictures, which were taken before Prejean became Miss California, but the fact that she had told Miss California officials that no such pictures existed. Still, Trump said Prejean did not violate her pageant contract.

Apart from the pictures, some of which showed her partially topless, Prejean got into trouble with Miss California USA Pageant officials for recording -- without their authorization -- public service announcements for groups opposed to gay marriage.

Prejean's troubles began when, answering a question from celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, a judge at the Miss USA pageant, she said she was personally opposed to gay marriage.

"It's the same answer the president of the United States gave; it's the same answer many people gave," a supportive Trump said Tuesday. "She gave an honorable answer; she gave an answer from her heart."

Miss California USA Pageant officials yesterday announced in Beverly Hills that they were taking some of Prejean's duties away, giving them to Miss California USA first runner-up Tami Farrell. The reason, said Keith Lewis, co-executive director of the state pageant, is that Prejean has been neglecting her Miss California obligations.

But that arrangement may turn out to be short-lived, apparently because of Trump's intervention.

Lewis, who was in New York Tuesday, told the New York Times, "We're not changing our rules for Carrie" and added: "We're bringing her back into compliance with her contract; every appearance is approved by us, every statement is a reflection of us."

Lewis told the Times that if Prejean is asked about her views, she should answer honestly, but that pageant officials would help her "fine tune" her response so that it "is accommodating to both parties."

Prejean, who graduated from Vista High and now attends San Diego Christian College in El Cajon, said she was "not going to be speaking out" against same-sex marriage but would "stay true to who I am."