Former President Donald Trump is struggling to navigate the new era of post-Roe politics that he helped create, months after declaring the debate over reproductive rights in America settled. His latest display of unease came as he attempted to sidestep questions about a Florida referendum on abortion access in his home state. While Trump initially did not pick a side on the issue, he later promised universal coverage of in vitro fertilization if elected, despite facing opposition from his own party on a similar provision.
Trump’s ever-evolving views on reproductive health have left him in a difficult position following the Supreme Court’s decision to end the constitutional right to an abortion earlier this year. Even though he believes future questions about access should be left to the states, Trump has struggled to appease activists in his party, as polls show that Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as better equipped to tackle the issue. Democrats have centered abortion in their pitch to women in key states, with Harris launching a bus tour focused on reproductive health care.
Harris’ campaign quickly responded to Trump’s proposal for IVF coverage by pointing out that the GOP’s platform includes language supportive of personhood legislation that could complicate IVF procedures in some states. With the race tightening in critical battlegrounds, Trump has dared anti-abortion voters to sit out the election, claiming his administration would be beneficial for women and their reproductive rights. However, some religious conservatives caution that Trump risks losing their support if he does not stand firm on pro-life principles.
Trump’s efforts are further complicated by the situation in Florida, where abortion is now illegal in most cases after six weeks. Voters will decide on the future of access in the fall through a ballot measure that would make abortion legal in the state up to the point of viability. Trump’s comments on the referendum have led to confusion and frustration among anti-abortion advocates, with some individuals stating they will no longer support him if his stance is not clarified. DeSantis is actively working to defeat the referendum, and Republicans have been critical of Trump’s perceived support for it.
The cleanup for Trump’s campaign continued as JD Vance, his running mate, stated that Trump would make an announcement soon on Florida’s referendum. Vance clarified that Trump does not support the amendment as it stands, indicating that Trump will assess the situation before making a final decision on how to vote. DeSantis is raising money to oppose the amendment, with support from various Republican leaders. Democrats have accused Trump and Vance of promoting anti-choice extremism, highlighting their connections to efforts to ban abortion in Florida and across the country.
