Eric Trump visits FOX Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo at FOX Studios on October 4, 2016 in New York City. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty)
Eric Trump has clarified that he is not actually a member of the LGBT+ community, after accidentally “coming out” during a live Fox News interview.
The president’s second-oldest and second-worst son, who has two children with his wife Lara Trump, was insisting that there was a lot of support for his father within the LGBT+ community on Fox and Friends on Monday (September 28).
But during the live interview, Trump said: “The LGBT+ community, they are incredible. You should see how they come out in full force for my father every single day.
“I’m part of that community, and we love the man, and thank you for protecting our neighbourhoods and thank you for protecting our cities.”
His “coming out” caused extreme confusion, with Bobby Lewis of Media Matters, sharing the clip on Twitter and writing: “Eric Trump coming out is not the birthday gift this homosexual wanted.”
Trump’s comments even led to his Wikipedia page being swiftly updated to say: “On September 29, 2020, Eric came out as a member of the LGBT community.”
eric trump coming out is not the birthday gift this homosexual wanted
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) September 29, 2020
Trump has now clarified that he “misspoke”, and is not actually queer, insisting that he was simply paraphrasing what LGBT+ people apparently say about his dad.
He told the New York Post: “To clarify, many of our close friends are part of the LGBT community, which was the intent of my statement — the left has taken that vote for granted for a long time and support from the gay community for my father is incredible.”
“As to me personally, as I think you know, I am a happily married man to my wife, Lara,” he added. Trump also confirmed that he is not bisexual.
Eric Trump: “I’m not LGBT. I was speaking for LGBT people.”
The LGBT community must be thrilled about their new spokesperson. pic.twitter.com/t35Zu8mIcR
— Peter Lorber (@PMLorber) September 29, 2020
As one Twitter user put it: “Eric Trump: ‘I’m not LGBT. I was speaking for LGBT people.’
“The LGBT community must be thrilled about their new spokesperson.”