Keep in mind that there is actual beliefs and interview speak. Testimony before Senate confirmation hearing would definitely constitute interview speak.
If he told them anything other than what he stated he would have been excoriated in the press and vilified to such an extent The Donald would have to pull his nomination. Now the slime ball, racist, hateful bigots (democrats) can’t use his prior opinions against him.
Good point. We've seen it before. For example, in some of our Supreme Court justices.