Trump Weighs In on the Abortion Debate

As voters across America prepare to vote on abortion in November, former President Donald Trump prepares as well, with a statement released this morning that calls for national “unity” on abortion and life issues going into this fall’s election season.

“Our nation needs help; it needs unity; it needs us all to work closely together: Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, everyone,” Trump said. “We have to work together.”

In his statement, Trump clarified his position on issues like in vitro fertilization (IVF), which he said he “strongly support[s].” Trump also stated that he is “strongly in favor” of exceptions to restrictions on abortion for cases of “rape, incest, and life of the mother.”

Trump releases statement on abortion

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— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 8, 2024

This statement comes after the former president has sent mixed signals about his position on abortion, telling NBC’s Meet the Press last September that “both sides” need to come to an agreement on the issue. “Both sides will come together,” Trump told NBC. “And for the first time in 52 years, you’ll have an issue that we can put behind us.” (RELATED: American Catholics Back Trump Over Biden)

In his most recent statement, Trump reiterated that the “long-term and hard-fought battle” over abortion has finally “ended.”

“My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state,” Trump said. “Now, it’s up to the states to do the right thing.”

The former president also emphasized the supremacy of the “will of the people.”

“You must follow your heart, or, in many cases, your religion or your faith. Do what’s right for your family and do what’s right for yourself; do what’s right for your children; do what’s right for our country and vote,” he said. “Always go by your heart, but we must win. We have to win.”

Conservative and Liberal Response

Trump’s emphasis on the importance of winning elections has concerned many pro-lifers, who see it as a compromise on the pro-life position.

Ben Zeisloft, editor at the Sentinel, argued on X that God’s will, not the people’s, must come first. “God says abortion is murder,” Zeisloft wrote. “Anything short of equal protection of the laws for preborn babies from our civil authorities is a wicked violation of duty for which they will be held accountable.”

Daily Wire host Matt Walsh also pushed back against Trump. “There is no such thing as ‘abortion rights.’ Rights are God given and God does not give anyone the right, under any circumstance, to kill children,” Walsh posted on X in response to Trump’s statement.

The response from conservatives, however, wasn’t all negative.

“Trump just took abortion off the table for 2024. It will NOT be a presidential decision,” said Bill Mitchell, host of YourVoice America, on X.

“Masterful statement by Trump on abortion,” Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, posted on X. “He’s 100% right. If we don’t win elections, we get zero of what we want. Without political power Democrats will make abortion the law of the land.”

Liberal commentators, such as the hosts of Morning Joe, interpreted the statement in a different light, taking the opportunity to claim that it proves Trump supports “crazy, extreme laws.”

It remains to be seen whether Trump’s moderate stance will help or hurt his reelection efforts in November.

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