Trump's rhetoric rankles the anti-abortion movement

Why Trump's latest comments "may be the single biggest issue that leads him to lose in 2024"

Donald Trump addresses the Susan B. Anthony 11th Annual Campaign for Life Gala
In the GOP presidential race, Trump is now the “furthest left candidate on the abortion issue.”
(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty Images)

Donald Trump isn’t pandering to the anti-abortion movement during his latest campaign for the White House. During his weekend interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, he once again criticized the movement for pushing abortion bans without exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the mother. “Other than certain parts of the country, you can’t — you’re not going to win on this issue,” Trump said. That follows recent reports that he is urging fellow Republicans to “talk differently” about abortion. 

Trump’s comments brought a backlash, Semafor reported. Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized Trump’s refusal to support a national abortion ban. “Why would we leave unborn babies in California and Illinois and New York to the devices of liberal state legislatures and liberal governors?” Pence asked at Iowa’s Faith and Freedom Coalition conference over the weekend. Activists also complained, The New York Post reported. “Pathetic and shameful,” said one. “Trump is actively attacking the very pro-life laws made possible by [Roe v. Wade's] overturning.”

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.