Trump Confirms Iran's New Supreme Leader May Be Gay

President says disclosure makes for 'a bad start' with Mojtaba Khamenei leading the Islamic theocracy.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:34pm

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President Trump confirmed that U.S. intelligence indicates new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be gay, saying the disclosure makes for 'a bad start' with him leading the Islamic theocracy. Trump also claimed he did 'very well with the gay vote' and 'even played the gay national anthem' - the Village People's 'Y.M.C.A.' - as his campaign anthem.

Why it matters

The potential sexual orientation of Iran's new supreme leader is a sensitive political issue, as homosexuality is illegal in Iran and punishable by death. Trump's comments about the gay vote and national anthem could also be seen as controversial.

The details

In a group interview on Fox News' 'The Five', anchor Jesse Watters asked Trump directly if the CIA had told him that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei may be gay. Trump confirmed the intelligence, saying '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.' Trump also mocked 'gays for Palestine', noting that Hamas would 'kill them instantly' and claimed he had done very well with the gay vote, even playing the 'gay national anthem' - 'Y.M.C.A.' by the Village People - as his campaign song.

  • The Post exclusively reported the intelligence about Mojtaba Khamenei earlier this month.

The players

Mojtaba Khamenei

The new Supreme Leader of Iran, whose potential sexual orientation as gay has become a sensitive political issue.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who confirmed the intelligence about Khamenei and made controversial comments about the gay vote and national anthem.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“No Republican has ever gotten the gay vote like I did, and I'm very proud of it. I think it's great. Perhaps it's because I'm from New York City, I don't know but, but the gay national anthem was my walk-off.”

— Donald Trump, Former President

The takeaway

The potential sexual orientation of Iran's new supreme leader is a sensitive political issue, and Trump's comments about the gay vote and national anthem could be seen as controversial. This story highlights the complex dynamics between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the role of identity politics in international relations.