Donald Trump’s married son Eric says he is member of the LGBT community
Donald Trump’s married son Eric has announced that he is a member of the LGBT community. Speaking on Fox and Friends Tuesday, Eric Trump said: ‘The LGBT community, they are incredible. And 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. Thank you for protecting our neighborhood, thank you for protecting our cities.’ Eric, 36, has been married to wife Lara since 2014 and is a father to two children.
His comments sparked widespread speculation online, with some commenters speculating that he may have gotten his wires crossed while referring to a broader community of Donald Trump supporters. A family friend later confirmed Eric’s heterosexuality, and told the New York Post that he had ‘misspoke.’
Eric was speaking in response to a New York Times interview with a Manhattan-based lesbian who says she loves President Trump, and plans to vote for him again, but will not tell anyone about who she is casting her ballot for.
The retail manager, who only gave her first name – Chris – said ‘Being a lesbian who’s voting for Trump is like coming out of the closet again.’ In 2016, President Trump became the first Republican presidential nominee in history to voice his support for the LGBT community at the party’s annual conference.
Trump – who held up an upside-down pride flag while speaking – claimed then-rival Hillary Clinton would fail to protect LGBT Americans by bringing ‘in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.’
The thrice-married president said he was anti-same sex marriage on the campaign trail, but then told a journalist he had no problem with gay marriage during his first post-election interview.
Earlier this year, Trump appointed Richard Grenell to the highest US government post ever held by a gay person – acting director of national security.
He has also tweeted in support of LGBT Americans twice during Pride Month celebrations since becoming president.
But Trump has also faced fierce criticism over his decision to ban transgender Americans from serving in the US Military.
He also rolled back employment protections for LGBT people put in place by his predecessor Barack Obama, and removed a question from the US census form aimed at gathering more information about LGBT Americans.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk
For more stories like this, check our news page