'Dog that caught the car': Bill Maher slams GOP's abortion stance and Trump's pro-choice U-turn after poll shows backlash from women

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Bill Maher delivered a blistering critique of Republicans, likening their flip-flopping on abortion rights to "the dog that caught the car".

The 68-year-old comedian lambasted Republicans over their shifting stance on abortion rights, particularly in light of Arizona's strict Supreme Court ruling implementing a near-total abortion ban, prompting some Republicans, including Donald Trump, to backtrack on their support amid widespread backlash, Fox News reported.

Trump, who had previously advocated for overturning Roe v Wade, which ultimately influenced the Arizona ruling, faced criticism from supporters as he recently opposed a national abortion ban.

Bill Maher aligns with poll findings on abortion's election impact

Bill Maher likened Republicans to "the dog who caught the car," implying they are now uncertain of what to do after achieving their goal.

He remarked, "'For 50 years, they talked about getting rid of abortion. They did it and it's super unpopular, and now they have to basically lie".

Maher's argument regarding the potential impact of abortion rights on the election in favor of Democrats aligns with a recent Wall Street Journal poll's findings, which highlight its significance among suburban women.

Trump faced scrutiny from within his party this week as he entered the abortion debate, under pressure to clarify his stance following the uproar over Arizona's contentious ban.

According to the poll, 39% of suburban women consider abortion a decisive issue in the election, with three-quarters supporting its legality either all or most of the time. Additionally, a majority perceive Trump's positions on abortion as overly stringent.

During the discussion, one of Maher's guests, British journalist Piers Morgan, acknowledged that Trump's reversal on abortion was driven by political considerations, describing it as a "U-turn".

However, Morgan suggested that there is logical reasoning behind it, as abortion poses a significant challenge for Republicans in elections, akin to a "massive banana skin". 

"He did it in 2016 to get the Evangelicals with him. He said, 'I'm gonna pack the court, I'm gonna get this done and overturn Roe v. Wade.' So they all came with him, and I think now he thinks he's got them," Morgan told Maher. 

"I don't support what he's doing, but I do understand the political reasons he's doing it, and I think he could be quite effective actually in neutralizing what is becoming a massive banana skin for the party," Morgan further added. 

He continued, "And I think that's what he's recognized and he's getting ahead of it. I think it could work for him."

Bill Maher's blunt abortion commentary receives mixed reactions

The unfolding events and Bill Maher's claims elicited a myriad of reactions from netizens, with one X user writing, "They think it’s murder, and it kind of is, I’m just okay with that.” Should be the part that is going viral."

Another user wrote, "The audience went silent. Most Democrats know what abortion is, but when stated so bluntly… it just sounds different."

One user noted, "I can respect him for at least being honest about his position."

Another comment read, ""Kind of"?" questioning Maher's claims. 

"He said the quiet part out loud which is why no one laughed," one more comment read. 

"Is that not your position if you’re pro-choice?” Yes. Yes it is", another viewer wrote. 

"Bill Maher is literally "okay" with murder: On people opposed to abortion: "They think it's murder. And it kind of is. I'm just okay with that. I am," another viewer expressed. 

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