Trump: Anti-gay marriage amendment “not going to happen”
Republican frontrunner appears to agree with reporter's contention that it's a "dead issue" for the GOP
Even though Republican frontrunner Donald Trump opposes marriage equality, he’s resigned himself to the Supreme Court’s ruling, according to statements he made in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Trump has refused to budge on his personal opposition to same-sex marriage, but has also not made social issues a strong emphasis of his campaign. In the interview, reporter Janice Min quotes Trump as saying he would have preferred the states, rather than the Supreme Court, decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage. She then asks Trump if he’s ever attended a gay wedding.
“Yes I have,” says Trump in the interview, which is slated to appear in the Aug. 28 print issue of the Reporter. “Jordan Roth,” he responds, referring to the prominent Broadway theater owner and President of Jujamcyn Theaters. “You know Jordan, right? Great guy.”
Min then asks, “So is this a dead issue for the GOP at this point?”
“Some people have hopes of passing amendments, but it’s not going to happen,” replies Trump. “Congress can’t pass simple things, let alone that. So anybody that’s making that an issue is doing it for political reasons. The Supreme Court ruled on it.”
Several of Trump’s opponents in the GOP primary have staked their campaigns — and reputations — on being vehemently opposed to same-sex marriage as they court the votes of social conservatives. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Sen. Ted Cruz have all touted their opposition to gay marriage and support for “religious liberty” protections. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum has argued that Congress should seek to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision, which he compared to the infamous Dred Scott decision upholding slavery in “free states” prior to the Civil War. And even Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has thrown his support behind a Federal Marriage Amendment that would allow states to decide on their own whether to legalize and recognize same-sex nuptials.
In the interview with the Reporter, Trump also refers to reality TV star and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner by her former name and gender, also saying he’s not surprised that her show’s ratings have fallen sharply.
“I just think it wouldn’t interest you,” Trump says of Call Me Cait. “I knew him a little bit when Bruce was a great athlete. He was one of the best-looking people you’ll ever see.”
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