Article Summary –
Abortion is a significant issue for voters in the upcoming presidential election, with many scrutinizing former President Donald Trump’s inconsistent positions on the matter. Trump has both claimed that abortion rights should be decided by states and expressed varying support for abortion bans, such as Florida’s six-week ban and Amendment 4, which would protect abortion rights before viability. His shifting stance on reproductive rights, including in vitro fertilization, reflects broader challenges within the Republican Party to resonate with voters on this issue, with groups like EMILYs List emphasizing the decisive role of women voters in the election.
Voters say abortion is a top issue in the Nov. 5 presidential election, second only to the economy. Despite its importance, former President Donald Trump has continuously shifted his positions on reproductive rights and abortion in various appearances.
Trump often touts his role in the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022, stating that abortion rights should be left up to the states.
“My view is that now that we have abortion where everyone wanted it legally, the states will determine by vote or legislation, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,” Trump posted on Truth Social on April 8.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law in May 2023. In April 2024, Florida’s Supreme Court approved Amendment 4, aiming to amend the state constitution to protect and expand access to abortion.
Amendment 4 would codify the right to abortion “before viability,” usually around 24 to 26 weeks of gestation.
Fewer than 1% of abortions occur at or after 21 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump, a Florida resident, appeared to back the abortion rights measure in an Aug. 29 interview with NBC News, saying, “I think the six-week is too short. There has to be more time.”
When asked if he would vote yes on Amendment 4, Trump replied, “I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks.”
Hours later, Trump campaign’s national secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump “has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative.”
On Aug. 30, Trump reversed his stance, telling Fox News he would vote no on Amendment 4, calling it radical and falsely claiming it would allow “an abortion in the ninth month.”
Trump has also altered his views on other reproductive rights issues, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen embryos are legally children, a decision that could have shut down IVF clinics statewide. The ruling led to confusion and outrage nationwide. Less than a month later, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law protecting IVF patients and providers from criminal charges.
In the August interview, Trump claimed he fully supported IVF, promising, “We are going to be paying for it” or mandating insurance coverage.
Trump’s recent statements reflect Republicans’ challenges in connecting with voters on abortion, as highlighted by a Brookings Institution analysis in April 2024.
EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler criticized Trump’s shifting stance on abortion, stating, “It’s clear from his latest lies and flip-flopping that Donald Trump is scared. Women will decide this election and we are voting on abortion. Women know Kamala Harris defends access, while Trump overturned Roe v. Wade and will use Project 2025 to end reproductive freedom.”
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