Seth Meyers says pro-life criticism of Donald Trump's abortion gaffe is 'a little hypocritical'

Seth Meyers looks at Trump&#039;s abortion comments

(Image credit: Late Night)

Donald Trump once again dominated the news on Wednesday, this time for his comments on whether women should be punished for getting (theoretically) illegal abortions. Seth Meyers took a closer look on Thursday's Late Night. "Trump talks about issues in the vague way middle-schoolers give reports on books they haven't read," Meyers said, and he usually gets away with running out the clock. But on Wednesday, Chris Matthews wouldn't let Trump not answer, and when he pressed Trump on how an abortion ban would actually work, "that's when Trump, who has clearly put zero thought into this issue, got himself into trouble."

"The idea that a woman should be punished for having an abortion is, of course, far outside the mainstream of public opinion, and the comment sparked an immediate backlash," from both abortion rights advocates and abortion opponents, Meyers said. "And while it's right for anti-abortion advocates to criticize Trump, it's also a little hypocritical, because in statehouses across the country, anti-abortion advocates are still looking for other, non-criminal ways to essentially punish women for having abortions." Meyers cited legislation in Utah and Florida, and raised the vexing question: Would you rather get reproductive care from a dentist or CPA?. Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.