Trump’s Position on Florida’s Six-Week Abortion Ban "Too short"

[Social Media]

 

Former President Donald Trump has expressed opposition to the six-week abortion ban recently enacted in Florida, a state he now calls home. However, despite his disagreement with the legislation, he has not committed to voting for the ballot measure that seeks to overturn the restriction. In a television interview on Thursday, Trump remarked that the six-week ban is too restrictive and hinted at his support for a November ballot initiative that could repeal the law, which was championed by his former ally, Governor Ron DeSantis, and the Florida Republican Party.

"I think the six week is too short, there has to be more time," former President Trump says how he'll vote on an abortion rights amendment in Florida. pic.twitter.com/rQAdPtW9i0

— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) August 29, 2024

 

“President Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida; he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short,” his campaign clarified in a subsequent statement. This statement came after Trump’s interview with NBC News, where he stated, “I think the six-week [ban] is too short—it has to be more time. I told them I want more weeks.”

 

During the interview, Trump did not explicitly disclose how he would vote on Amendment 4, a measure that is opposed by DeSantis. Amendment 4 would enshrine the right to abortion in the Florida state constitution up until the point of fetal viability or when necessary to protect the mother’s health. However, Trump’s remarks suggested that he might lean towards supporting the initiative. “I’m going to be voting that we need more than six weeks,” he said, signaling potential alignment with those advocating for more lenient abortion laws in the state.

 

Trump’s comments come at a time when he appears to be moderating his stance on reproductive rights, an issue that has become increasingly challenging for Republicans following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The court’s decision, which was made possible by the conservative majority established during Trump’s presidency, has ignited a wave of restrictive abortion laws across the country.

 

In Florida, DeSantis and other Republicans swiftly passed the six-week abortion ban, making it a central part of DeSantis’ platform during his unsuccessful bid for the White House.

Given Trump’s significant support base in Florida, his comments could influence the outcome of the Amendment 4 ballot initiative. However, DeSantis’ spokesperson Jeremy Redfern indicated that the governor had no immediate response to Trump’s remarks.

 

Taryn Fenske, spokesperson for the “Vote No on 4” campaign, issued a statement emphasizing Trump’s previous opposition to late-term abortions while steering clear of directly addressing his apparent support for the ballot measure. “Donald Trump has previously stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and he’s always stood up for parents’ rights,” Fenske said. She further argued that Amendment 4 would allow late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent, and potentially pave the way for taxpayer-funded abortions, labeling it as “extreme and must be defeated.”

 

In contrast, Natasha Sutherland, spokesperson for the Amendment 4 campaign, highlighted the nonpartisan nature of the issue, arguing that Floridians across the political spectrum support the measure. “We know that the passage of Amendment 4 is a nonpartisan issue—Republican, Democrat, or independent, the overwhelming majority of Floridians do not want the government making decisions for them when it comes to something as personal and complicated as pregnancy,” Sutherland wrote. She pointed to the risks faced by doctors and the challenges for women in need of life-saving care as evidence of the amendment’s necessity.

 

Trump’s evolving stance on abortion is part of a broader strategy to position himself as a more moderate figure on reproductive rights, while still appealing to his conservative base. As part of this effort, he has also sought to portray himself as a strong advocate for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a procedure that has come under scrutiny in some conservative circles. In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos frozen during IVF could be considered children, a decision that raised concerns among Republicans about the potential legal implications for the widely used fertility treatment.

 

At a rally in Michigan on Thursday, Trump pledged that his administration would support making IVF treatment free, though he did not provide specific details on how this would be accomplished. “Your government will pay for, or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for, all costs associated with IVF treatment because we want more babies, to put it very nicely,” Trump declared. He also promised that new parents would be allowed to deduct significant newborn expenses from their taxes.

 

Meanwhile, the Biden administration, represented by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, has been quick to criticize Trump’s attempts to reframe his position on reproductive rights. Harris’ spokesperson, Sarafina Chitika, dismissed Trump’s recent comments, pointing out the contradiction between his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and his current rhetoric. “Trump lies as much, if not more, than he breathes, but voters aren’t stupid,” Chitika said in a statement. “Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack, and women’s freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country.”

 

Trump’s approach to the abortion debate and reproductive rights reflects his ongoing challenge of balancing the expectations of his conservative base with the broader electorate’s views. As he navigates this complex political landscape, his comments and actions will likely continue to shape the discourse on these critical issues in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

 

Credit: Politico 2024-08-31

 

 

 

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[Tug]

Yea yea yea…..and tomorrow it might be back to 6 weeks depending on were he can curry the most votes or not alienate the few he has…..one thing for certain you can’t trust him.

[bamnutsak]

I think he's changed his position on abortion some 15 times over the last nine years.

 

But Kamala Harris...

 

Trump has flip-flopped-flipped three times in the last 48 hours.

 

 

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

Trump did not explicitly disclose how he would vote on Amendment 4

 

 

I think, as a convicted felon, he can only vote in Florida through a loop-hole since he was convicted in a State (NY) where felons can vote.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 31 by bamnutsak

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Trump’s Position on Florida’s Six-Week Abortion Ban "Too short"

Same as Stormy Daniels comment on Trump's manhood.

[Chomper Higgot]

He’s relying on the votes of religious zealots.

 

Somebody needs to explain to him, zealots don’t do halfway house stuff. If Trump, or indeed any Republican, is not backing an all out 100% ban on abortion, then he/they are losing rightwing Christian votes.

 

OK I confess, I would much rather nobody explains this to him.

[newnative]

    He's flip-flopped so many times at this point I don't think anybody, including Trump, knows what he thinks, if he is still capable of thinking, about the abortion issue.  Whatever, it's a definite loser for the Republican ticket.  Just saw a poll where Americans are 70% in favor of abortion being legal in almost all cases.  

[Purdey]

Rape? Incest? Health issues? Why is abortion even a question?