In an interview with the Advocate in 2000, Republican nominee Donald Trump stood firm behind his belief that everyone gets a fair chance in his company, regardless of sexuality.

When asked whether or not gays and lesbians should be interested in the possibility of a Trump candidacy, he stood by the same remark made in the 2016 election.

I grew up in New York City, a town with different races, religions, and peoples. It breeds tolerance. In all truth, I don’t care whether or not a person is gay. I judge people based on their capability, honesty, and merit. Being in the entertainment business — that is, owning casinos and … several large beauty pageants — I’ve worked with many gay people. I have met some tough, talented, capable, terrific people. Their lifestyle is of no interest to me.

Would we see gay people in a Trump administration?

I would want the best and brightest. Sexual orientation would be meaningless. I’m looking for brains and experience. If the best person for the job happens to be gay, I would certainly appoint them. One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace, good people don’t go into government. I’d want to change that.

And would Trump employees be allowed to express themselves publicly?

Everyone makes a personal choice. Look, it just doesn’t matter to me. I try to treat everybody equal and fairly. Maybe that’s why I can count men like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Sammy Sosa as my friends. When you hang with people who are different from you, you get an appreciation for other cultures.

While Trump faces increased scrutiny for being anti-politically correct, his Democratic counter-part Hillary Clinton openly receives millions of dollars from countries who routinely put homosexuals to death.