Donald Trump maintains that he’s proud that the Supreme Court justices he nominated overturned Roe v. Wade. Yet he avoids tough questions about abortion. When asked about whether he would support a national abortion ban should he return to the White House, Trump evaded the question.
Not letting the opportunity pass, President Joe Biden’s campaign has made abortion rights a focal point in his campaign. As a result, the Trump campaign sees the abortion ban as a general election liability. On Monday, April 9, 2024, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee tried to put the issue to rest.
Instead, Trump’s video statement exposed the tough road ahead and inflamed leaders on both sides. The former President has long tried to avoid supporting national restrictions that could be a political disaster.
Notably, Republicans are struggling to win back key groups, especially women, who turned against the GOP in recent years. While avoiding the national abortion ban discourse, Trump remains eager to take credit for the reversal of Roe v. Wade. He did so again in a video posted on Monday on his social media site.
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“The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both,” Trump said of abortion rights. “And whatever they decide must be the law of the land.” He continued, “Now, it’s up to the states to do the right thing.” Trump’s “on the fence” statement angered conservatives from all sides of the political spectrum.
“We are deeply disappointed in President Trump’s position,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, the President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Similarly, former Vice President Mike Pence, who declined to endorse his former running mate this year, condemned Trump’s comments.
He said, “Trump’s retreat on the Right to Life is a slap in the face to millions of pro-life Americans.” On social media, some conservatives are concerned about Trump’s reference to the term “abortion rights,” arguing that such rights do not exist.
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Also, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a vocal Trump ally, said on X that he “respectfully” disagrees with Trump’s new position. Religious conservatives have been fighting against abortion rights for decades.
They claim abortion should be stopped at all costs, even if they pay a price at the ballot box. But Trump wants to win in 2024. In his statement, he clarified that he was trying to make the best of a bad political situation. “We must win,” he said. “We have to win.”
Consequently, religious conservatives said he deeply disappointed them. Progressives also called him a liar, saying he was lying. However, there’s every indication that abortion will define the 2024 election no matter what Trump does or says. So, Trump simply tried to punt abortion back to the states.
Nailing Trump’s coffin, Biden issued a seven-paragraph statement. The President said Trump was “responsible for creating the cruelty that enveloped America” since the Supreme Court overturned Roe. “Trump is scrambling,” Biden said.
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“He’s worried that since he’s the one responsible for overturning Roe, the voters will hold him accountable in 2024.” Biden added, “Well, I have news for Donald. They will.” National Democrats intend to blame Trump for abortion bans in conservative-led states.
They’re also holding him responsible for the restriction of fertility treatments in Alabama. Biden’s campaign announced on Sunday, April 7, that it would hold campaign events featuring two women. The women, one from Texas and the other from Louisiana were affected by restrictive abortion laws enacted by Republicans.
However, Trump’s campaign has no counterarguments. For now, it’s not clear how many states will vote on abortion ballot measures. So far, abortion rights are on the ballot in Florida, Maryland, and New York.
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