Former President Donald Trump recently confirmed that he was briefed by U.S. intelligence regarding assertions that Mojtaba Khamenei, widely considered the likely successor to Iran's Supreme Leader, may be gay. Trump's remarks were made during a group interview on the Fox News program "The Five."

When directly asked by Fox News anchor Jesse Watters if the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conveyed this information, Trump stated, "Well, they did say that, but I don’t know if it was only them. I think a lot of people are saying that, which puts him off to a bad start in that particular country.” The context of Khamenei's potential sexuality in Iran is notable given the country's strict laws and societal norms regarding homosexuality.

During the interview, Trump also pivoted to broader comments on LGBTQ+ issues and foreign policy. He criticized what he termed "gays for Palestine," asserting that the militant group Hamas would "kill them instantly. They throw more buildings." This comment alluded to past reports and allegations of Hamas's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in areas it controls.

The former president then reflected on his own past political support from the gay community. He claimed to have performed "very well with the gay vote," adding, "No Republican has ever gotten the gay vote like I did, and I’m very proud of it." Trump attributed this success potentially to his New York City origins.

He also referenced his campaign's use of the Village People's song "Y.M.C.A.," describing it as "the gay national anthem" and his "walk-off" song at rallies.