Back in 2004, Trump, who was then famous for The Apprentice, sat down with Conan O’Brien for what started as a lighthearted chat.But things took an unexpected turn when O’Brien brought up a notable scene from the show.
In the clip, Trump, known for his direct approach, asked contestant Clay Lee a blunt question: “Are you a homosexual, Clay?” The straightforwardness of the question caught everyone off guard.
Lee answered with a simple “yes,” and Trump seemed accepting of the answer. However, Trump didn’t stop there and went on to ask if Lee found any of the female contestants attractive.
“They’re beautiful women,” Lee said, though he added that they weren’t his “thing.”
Then came the moment that has sparked fresh debates online. In what seemed like an attempt at humor or to show his acceptance, Trump compared choosing a partner to picking a dish from a menu.
“That’s why they have menus in restaurants,” Trump said with a casual shrug. “I like steak, someone else likes spaghetti. That’s why they have menus in restaurants. A great world.”
The comment, a mix of awkwardness and indifference, has sparked a wide range of reactions online. Some see it as a clumsy but well-intentioned effort to be inclusive, while others view it as a dismissive oversimplification of a complex issue, likening it to choosing a meal.
Trump has always had a complicated relationship with LGBTQ rights. While his stance has often been ambiguous, the comment in the interview has resurfaced at a time when the issue of LGBTQ rights remains a divisive topic in American politics. For the 2024 presidential election, the Republican Party’s new platform notably removed language that previously supported opposition to same-sex marriage, signaling a shift in tone, but the party remains deeply divided on the issue.