Trump Makes Major Shift in Abortion Stance, Vows ‘Powerful Exceptions’ for Women
Former President Donald Trump has signaled a shift in his stance on abortion, vowing to ensure “powerful exceptions” if elected in 2024, in what appears to be an attempt to appeal to women voters.
In recent statements, Trump expressed opposition to Florida’s six-week abortion ban, calling it “too short” and saying “there has to be more time.” When asked about Florida’s Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, Trump indicated he would vote for “more than six weeks,” as previously reported by TTOA.
“I think the six-week is too short, there has to be more time,” Trump told an NBC News reporter. “I’ve told them that I want more weeks.”
Trump has emphasized his belief in exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and to protect the life of the mother, comparing his position to that of former President Ronald Reagan. Trump also stated he would not block access to abortion pills or medication if re-elected, Fox News reported.
However, Trump’s campaign maintains that he has not yet revealed how he will vote on Florida’s Amendment 4. National press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified, “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.”
Nonetheless, it appears Trump is again trying to appeal to women voters by vowing a more moderate approach to abortion.
In a lengthy message on Truth Social, Trump pledged to “protect women at a level never seen before.”
“Women are poorer than they were four years ago, are less healthy than they were four years ago, are less safe on the streets than they were four years ago, are more depressed and unhappy than they were four years ago, and are less optimistic and confident in the future than they were four years ago,” Trump said.
In his post, Trump said women “will no longer be thinking about abortion, because it is now where it always had to be, with the states, and a vote of the people—and with powerful exceptions, like those that Ronald Reagan insisted on for rape, incest, and the life of the mother—but not allowing for Democrat demanded late term abortion in the 7th, 8th, or 9th month, or even execution of a baby after birth.”
Trump continues to tout his role in overturning Roe v. Wade through his Supreme Court appointments, framing the issue as one that should be decided at the state level. He has criticized Democrats for what he describes as “extreme” positions on late-term abortions.
Trump’s shift comes as the Republican Party has moved away from its long-standing position of advocating for strict abortion limits. In July, the party abandoned this stance, reflecting the complex political calculus surrounding the issue in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s reversal.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s evolving position on abortion highlights the delicate balance Republican candidates must strike between appealing to their conservative base and attracting moderate voters, particularly women.
The issue remains a contentious and divisive one in American politics, with both parties seeking to frame their opponents as extremists while positioning themselves as reasonable on the matter.
With abortion likely to be a key issue in the upcoming election, Trump’s latest comments suggest a strategic pivot aimed at broadening his appeal beyond his core supporters. How this shift will be received by voters across the political spectrum remains to be seen as the campaign season heats up.
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