According to Mediate, former President Donald Trump is facing backlash from conservatives, including some prominent Republican incumbents and influential pundits, after he characterized six-week abortion bans passed in certain red states as “terrible” during an interview with Meet the Press’s Kristen Welker. Trump’s comments have ignited a heated debate within the conservative movement over his stance on abortion and his refusal to commit to signing a 15-week abortion ban into law if he were to return to the presidency.
During the interview, Trump declined to definitively state whether he would support a 15-week abortion ban, instead suggesting that he would negotiate with both sides to find a solution that could bring “peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years.” When pressed by Welker about his opinion on the five-week and six-week abortion bans supported by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump expressed his disapproval, calling them a “terrible thing and a terrible mistake.”
I’m not going to say I would or I wouldn’t. I mean, [Ron DeSantis] is willing to sign a five-week and six-week ban,” he added.
“Would you support that? You think that goes too far?” inquired Welker.
“I think what he [DeSantis did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake,” replied Trump. “But we’ll come up with a number, but at the same time, Democrats won’t be able to go out at six months, seven months, eight months and allow an abortion.”
These remarks from Trump have frustrated other Republican leaders who have championed pro-life measures similar to those signed by DeSantis. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who signed a fetal heartbeat bill in 2018 and again in 2021, countered Trump’s comments by asserting that it is never a “terrible thing” to protect innocent life. Similarly, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp emphasized the importance of standing up for life and highlighted his state’s efforts in protecting and valuing life through various reforms and initiatives.
Prominent conservative pundits, Erick Erickson and Dan Bongino, have also criticized Trump’s position on abortion. Erickson stated that he has “seen enough” from the former president, while Bongino admitted that he could not reconcile Trump’s stance with his faith or morality.
Trump’s comments on abortion have underscored the complexity of this divisive issue within the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement. His willingness to break from some pro-life policies supported by fellow Republicans has sparked a spirited debate over the direction of the party on this critical social and political issue.
It’s never a “terrible thing” to protect innocent life. I’m proud of the fetal heartbeat bill the Iowa legislature passed and I signed in 2018 and again earlier this year.
— Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) September 19, 2023
