In a rapid reversal, Donald Trump declared on Friday that he would oppose a Florida ballot initiative aimed at expanding abortion access. This came just 24 hours after he hinted he might support it. The swift about-face followed an outcry from anti-abortion advocates, raising fears among Republicans that Trump’s inconsistent stance on the issue could alienate religious voters in a closely contested political landscape.
Trump’s conflicting statements highlight the former president’s struggle to navigate the post-Roe v. Wade political environment—a landscape he helped shape by appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices who overturned the landmark ruling. While Trump has sought credit for the decision, he has also voiced concerns about the potential political repercussions, suggesting earlier this year that the issue of abortion rights should be decided by individual states.
This ambiguous stance has done little to quell controversy, with Trump struggling to satisfy both the anti-abortion activists within his party and a broader electorate troubled by restrictive abortion laws in several Republican-led states. A Quinnipiac University poll revealed that 55% of voters believe Vice President Kamala Harris is more equipped to handle the issue, compared to 38% for Trump. A separate CBS News/YouGov poll showed that nearly 70% of voters who prioritize abortion rights favor Harris over Trump.
Trump’s uncertainty was evident on Thursday when he tried to sidestep questions about a Florida referendum that will determine the future of abortion access in his home state. His campaign quickly issued a statement to clarify that Trump had not taken a side on the issue.
Later that day, speaking at a Michigan warehouse, Trump abruptly pivoted from discussing manufacturing to promise universal coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) if elected. This proposal came despite Republican senators, including his running mate JD Vance, blocking a similar bill earlier this year.
The Democrats have seized on abortion as a central issue, especially after Harris was elevated to the top of the Democratic ticket. The recent Democratic National Convention highlighted personal stories of women unable to access critical reproductive healthcare. Harris’ campaign has launched a 50-stop bus tour focused on reproductive rights, starting in Trump’s home turf of Palm Beach, Florida.
Harris’ team quickly responded to Trump’s IVF proposal, pointing out that the GOP platform, heavily influenced by Trump, supports states enacting personhood laws, which could potentially complicate IVF procedures by granting legal rights to embryos from conception.
“Voters aren’t stupid,” said Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign.
Trump’s wavering on the issue may alienate anti-abortion voters who were willing to overlook his “states’ rights” position as political pragmatism. Lila Rose, founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, warned, “If you don’t stand for pro-life principles, you don’t get pro-life votes.” She added, “Trying to sound like a Democrat on abortion isn’t going to help Trump. It hurts him.”
Florida, where Trump resides, has outlawed most abortions after six weeks. Voters in the state will decide on a measure that would legalize abortion up to the point of viability, generally around 23-24 weeks of pregnancy. Trump had initially suggested Florida’s six-week ban was “too short,” but later clarified that he would vote “no” on the proposed amendment.
Anti-abortion advocates, interpreting Trump’s remarks as support for the referendum, expressed their discontent. Kristen Hawkins, president of Students for Life, reported that volunteers were reconsidering their support for Trump. Conservative commentator Erick Erickson remarked, “If Donald Trump loses, today is the day he lost.”
In a bid to clarify, JD Vance stated that Trump would soon make an official announcement regarding his stance on Florida’s referendum. Vance suggested Trump’s remarks were aimed at expressing disapproval of the six-week limit, not endorsing the referendum.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, leading the Republican opposition to the amendment, has labeled the proposal “extreme and must be defeated.” DeSantis is actively fundraising to oppose the measure, with substantial contributions from state Republican leaders.
Aida Ross, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized Trump’s alignment with Vance, suggesting it exposes their “anti-choice extremism” and commitment to restrictive abortion policies.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
Report by The Dailyon News Team
