Former President Donald Trump repeatedly declined to say whether he would veto a national abortion ban if he were elected during Tuesday’s debate with Vice President Kamala Harris—despite saying previously he would not sign such a bill.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a presidential ... [+]
Trump twice refused to give a “yes” or “no” answer when asked by moderators during Tuesday’s debate if he would veto a federal abortion ban if one were passed by Congress—insisting a ban will not pass Congress in the first place.
Trump said he’s not in favor of a national abortion ban and said “I’m not signing a ban,” calling Harris’ claim that he would a “lie,” but he declined to say if he would contest Congress if it approved such a ban.
Trump said “I’m not in favor of an abortion ban, but it doesn’t matter, because this issue has now been taken over by the states,” referring to Roe v. Wade’s reversal that allowed states to make their own abortion laws.
When moderators pointed out that Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said last month in an interview with NBC News that Trump has “explicitly” said he would veto a ban, Trump said “I didn’t discuss it with JD in all fairness.”
Harris blasted Trump for his appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in Tuesday’s debate and said “Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.” The vice president also her promise to sign a law reinstating the federal right to abortion if she were elected and one was passed by Congress.
Trump and Harris participated in their first and only scheduled debate of the 2024 campaign Tuesday. Hosted by ABC News, the debate marked the first time the two ever met in person and is widely considered the most important moment of the election cycle.
Trump has repeatedly shifted his stance on abortion policies, telling reporters for the first time in April he wouldn’t sign a federal ban, reversing course on his position during his time in office. Until this year, Trump has largely shied away from giving direct answers regarding his position on a federal abortion ban in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s reversal. Earlier this year, he endorsed a state-by-state approach to abortion, appearing for the first time to abandon the idea of any sort of federal ban, despite suggesting weeks earlier he could endorse a 15-week national abortion ban.
Trump has also reversed course several times on Florida’s six-week abortion ban, ultimately saying last month he would vote against a ballot measure that would repeal the law, despite saying he thinks the law is too strict. Trump told Fox News at the time he was voting against the ballot measure because it’s supported by “radical” Democrats, repeating his false claims that Democrats support abortions in the ninth month of pregnancy. Trump also alleged former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam essentially endorsed the execution of babies after birth, repeating a falsehood that stems from Northam’s endorsement of legislation that would ease limitations on third-trimester abortions in non-viable pregnancies or if the infant has “severe deformities.”
Trump Tries To Dodge Abortion Debate By Leaving It Up To States—But Poll Shows That’s Also Unpopular (Forbes)
Trump Would Veto National Abortion Ban, Vance Says—As Democrats Hit GOP On Abortion (Forbes)
How Trump Could Ban Abortion Without Congress—And What He’s Said About Doing It (Forbes)