Donald Trump struggles to solidify stance on abortion rights as he backtracks on Florida measure
WASHINGTON, DC: GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump withdrew his support of a ballot referendum to expand abortion access in Florida, 24 hours after suggesting that he would back it, on Friday, August 30.
According to CNN, the move revealed how shaky the ground was beneath the former president's feet, as he has long struggled to solidify his stance on the subject in an era of post-Roe v Wade. This has led to concern among Republicans that Trump may lose the support of some deeply religious voters as the race to the November election heats up.
During an interview with Fox News reporter Bryan Llenas on Friday, Trump stated on the subject of the abortion access ballot, "I think six weeks, you need more time than six weeks."
"I’ve disagreed with that right from the early primaries when I heard about it, I disagreed with it. At the same time, the Democrats are radical because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation. All of that stuff is unacceptable, so I will be voting no for that reason."
Donald Trump is now saying that he's now going to vote no on Florida's Amendment 4 because Minnesota and other states "can execute the baby after birth."
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) August 30, 2024
He also said that women need more time to have an abortion than just 6 weeks. pic.twitter.com/cuNXdp3NpZ
Donald Trump's position on reproductive healthcare
Donald Trump's views on reproductive healthcare are described by CNN as "ever-evolving".
While he takes credit for installing the three conservative SCOTUS justices, he has long expressed concern with the fallout of their overturning of Roe v Wade.
Following the SCOTUS ruling that ended the constitutional right to abortion, Trump sought to end the conversation by stating future questions on the subject are best left to the states. However, that has not been the case.
The GOP nominee has found it increasingly difficult to appease anti-abortion activists within his party while the electorate in many Republican-led states remains troubled by their current level of abortion access.
Recent surveys on the issue have pained a sorry picture for the Trump campaign. Kamala Harris led Donald Trump 55% to 38% when voters were asked who was the better candidate to tackle the subject of abortion, according to a survey by Quinnipiac University.
A CBS News poll conducted by YouGov also showed that nearly 7 in 10 voters focused on abortion favored the Democratic nominee over her Republican counterpart.
Trump's Thursday attempt to sidestep questions about a Florida referendum that will decide the future of abortion access infuriated conservatives. Later on the same day, he promised universal coverage of IVF for women, even when GOP senators, including his running mate JD Vance, defeated a bill earlier in the summer with a similar provision.
Internet mocks Donald Trump for pulling back his support from abortion access
Netizens trolled Donald Trump on X (formerly Twitter) for going back on his support for reproductive rights. The following tweets demonstrate the prevalent take.
"The grift that keeps on grifting," wrote a user.
"And yet, he’s accusing @VP for flip flopping lol 😂," jibed another.
"I'm sure the media will be grilling him about his 'flip-flops' for years," shared a third.
I'm sure the media will be grilling him about his "flip-flops" for years.
— Lucy Monostone (@boney_robin) August 30, 2024
"He has zero principles," quipped a fourth.
"The guy has no personal convictions he is willing to fight for," echoed a fifth.
The guy has no personal convictions he is willing to fight for
— ValerianTX (@ValerianTexas) August 30, 2024
"This is like the most obvious example that what he says and does is all to create an audience of people who'll go by every word he says lmao," expressed yet another.
This is like the most obvious example that what he says and does is all to create an audience of people who'll go by every word he says lmao
— Braxton McBotson (@BraxtonMcb80250) August 31, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.