**Trump Claims Support for Abortion Rights in Florida; Campaign Clarifies Stance** Donald Trump recently stated that he would vote in favor of abortion rights in Florida, but his campaign has since clarified that this position does not reflect his official stance. The campaign emphasized that Trump's comments were misinterpreted and that his views on abortion remain consistent with his previously stated policies.
Updated August 29, 20248:08 PM ET
Photo by Alex Brandon/AP
Former President Donald Trump suggested he would support abortion rights in Florida, where the issue is on the ballot. He criticized the state's six-week ban as too restrictive, advocating for a longer timeframe instead.
When directly asked if he would vote in favor of the amendment, Trump appeared to confirm his support. In an interview with NBC News, he stated, "I'm going to be voting that we need more than six weeks," and expressed support for exceptions in abortion laws for cases involving the life of the mother, rape, and incest.
Abortion is currently restricted in Florida to six weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions. In the upcoming general election, voters will decide on Amendment 4, which seeks to protect abortion access in the state.
The Trump campaign quickly clarified that former President Donald Trump has not yet declared how he will vote on the amendment. “President Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida; he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short,” said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's press secretary.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump expressed his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF), stating that his administration would fund the procedure if he were re-elected. “I was always for IVF. Right from the beginning, as soon as we heard about it,” Trump said.
He also supported public funding for IVF or mandating insurance coverage, noting the high cost of the procedure. “We’re doing this because we think it’s great. We need great children, beautiful children in our country,” Trump added.
However, Trump’s comments come amid concerns about the impact of abortion restrictions on IVF. Some anti-abortion activists advocate for limiting or banning IVF due to its involvement with excess embryos, which complicates the issue for many patients and doctors.
Trump’s remarks appear aimed at softening his stance on reproductive rights ahead of the November election. Previously, he has taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade through his appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices. His recent statements, including a claim on Truth Social about being “great for women and their reproductive rights,” and an indication that he would not use the Comstock Act to restrict abortion pills, have received mixed reactions.
The Harris-Walz campaign responded to Trump’s comments by highlighting concerns over IVF and reproductive rights. "Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack and women’s freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country," said spokesperson Sarafina Chitika. “There is only one candidate in this race who trusts women and will protect our freedom to make our own health care decisions: Vice President Kamala Harris.”
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