Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at Wildwood Beach on May 11, 2024, in Wildwood, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
In Summary:
- Trump’s comments on Florida’s abortion referendum sparked backlash from pro-life supporters.
- The Trump campaign clarified his stance, stating that he believes the six-week limit is too short.
Top News, August 30, 2024 — In a recent interview with DailyMail.com, former President Donald Trump made comments on abortion that quickly triggered backlash from pro-life supporters.
The controversy arose after Trump hinted that he might support expanding abortion access in Florida’s upcoming referendum, which proposes extending the abortion limit beyond the current six-week ban.
Florida law currently prohibits most abortions after six weeks.
When asked about a measure that would extend this limit to over 20 weeks, Trump responded, “I want more than six weeks.” This statement shocked many in the anti-abortion movement, prompting the Trump campaign to clarify his position.
On Thursday evening, Karoline Leavitt, the Trump Campaign’s national press secretary, issued a statement to address the uproar.
“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,” she explained.
Trump’s handling of the abortion issue is delicate, as it could be a pivotal factor in the 2024 election. While he proudly positioned himself as the most “pro-life” president during his tenure, he has since expressed concerns that pushing for strict federal abortion bans could harm Republican chances at the polls.
He has advocated for states to decide their own abortion laws, but with Florida set to vote on Amendment 4 in November—an amendment that would allow abortions up to the point of fetal viability—Trump will eventually need to take a clear stance.
During the interview, Trump signaled that he would soon publicly share his position on the referendum, stating, “I think six weeks is a mistake. And I’ll be expressing that soon, but I want more than six weeks.”
His remarks, which he reiterated in a subsequent TV interview, were met with concern from anti-abortion leaders.
One prominent anti-abortion figure contacted Trump to seek clarification, emphasizing that “Amendment 4 would allow abortion past five months, which completely undermines his stated position.”
The Trump campaign has consistently opposed abortions after five months of pregnancy, a stance that Amendment 4 could potentially weaken.
Taryn Fenske, communications director for the governor’s office, also voiced opposition to Amendment 4, warning that it would enable late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent, and pave the way for taxpayer-funded abortions.
“It’s extreme and must be defeated,” she asserted.
As Trump navigates this contentious issue, his campaign continues to clarify his position to maintain support among his pro-life base while addressing broader electoral concerns.