‘He's Alienating His Base:’ Why This Anti-Abortion Activist Won't Vote for Trump Again
Trump previously expressed his "great admiration" for Lila Rose's work, but he has now lost her backing.
TroibNews 
Lila Rose, a leading anti-abortion activist and the head of Live Action, is taking a bold stand against endorsing Donald Trump for re-election unless he adopts a firmer anti-abortion stance. Rose has been vocal on social media, expressing dissatisfaction with Trump and his vice-presidential candidate JD Vance for deviating from key anti-abortion policies, including a national ban and restrictions on the abortion pill.
Rose told PMG Magazine, “It’s disappointing to say — but perhaps he personally lacks principle on this issue.” Her stance is causing a rift among conservatives, with some arguing that Trump's presidency would still be preferable for the anti-abortion cause compared to a potential Harris administration. However, Rose remains unconvinced, indicating she might write in another candidate if the election were held now.
She elaborated on her concerns, stating, “Don’t get me wrong. … I would love to see him stop saying this nonsense about supporting abortion. But unfortunately, that's not the case.” When asked about her current plans, Rose said she’s watching to see if Trump revises his position, hinting she could still be persuaded if he demonstrated a commitment to anti-abortion policies.
Rose has previously reached out to both the Trump and Harris campaigns seeking assurances that their public statements on abortion would not translate into anti-abortion actions once in office. She highlighted that trust in Trump's anti-abortion stance has been eroded, especially since he is not aligning with the positions he took during the 2016 campaign.
Addressing the dilemma of choosing the lesser of two evils, Rose emphasized that it is crucial for the pro-life movement to demand more rather than settling for minimal assurances from political candidates. She argued that no one "owns the pro-life vote" and that it must be earned by genuine commitment to the cause.
In response to whether withholding support from Trump could inadvertently help Harris, Rose mentioned that there are other candidates and the possibility of write-in votes. She is holding out hope that Trump will return to a robust anti-abortion stance, which could influence her vote.
Finally, when discussing why Trump might have shifted his position on abortion, Rose speculated that he might be receiving poor advice and misjudging the electoral implications of abandoning his previously strong anti-abortion rhetoric. She stressed that maintaining a pro-life stance is not only a moral issue but also politically sensible if Trump hopes to energize his base.Rose’s concerns about Trump’s recent rhetoric are shared by many in the anti-abortion community, who worry that moderating his stance is a dangerous gamble. They fear it could alienate the very base that helped propel him to victory in 2016. Rose stated that the current messaging from Trump and Vance has not only confused voters but also risks disenfranchising staunch anti-abortion advocates who expect uncompromising commitment to the cause.
In discussing Trump's potential strategies, she lamented, “He’s alienating his base.” By attempting to appeal to a broader voter demographic, Trump risks losing the core supporters who view the anti-abortion movement as non-negotiable. Rose underscored the importance for GOP candidates to clearly articulate their position on life issues to maintain credibility among their constituents.
The stakes are high as the November election nears, and Rose's outspoken position is indicative of a larger divide within the Republican Party regarding the future of the anti-abortion agenda. This internal conflict could serve as a bellwether for the party's direction on social issues, particularly as younger voters increasingly engage with these topics and express differing views.
Moreover, Rose’s willingness to consider alternative candidates or even write-ins reflects a growing sentiment among some conservative activists that it’s imperative to hold leaders accountable for their promises. As the political landscape shifts, anti-abortion advocates like Rose are pushing for a reevaluation of strategies that demand clarity and commitment from those who seek their support.
As she continues to advocate for robust anti-abortion policies, there is also an underlying call for unity among pro-life activists to focus on the long-term goals of the movement. Rose believes in advocating for uncompromising principles rather than merely settling for the political expedience of supporting candidates with diluted positions. "It's our job if we want to be an effective lobbying group in any way, to demand more and to say, 'If you want my vote, I need to see more from you,'" she stated, emphasizing the need for sustained advocacy.
In the months leading up to the election, how Rose and her supporters navigate this intricate political landscape will not only influence the anti-abortion movement but also impact the broader GOP agenda. With several high-stakes issues on the table, the dynamics within the Republican Party could very well shift, creating a pivotal moment for both Trump’s campaign and the future of the anti-abortion movement as a whole.
As the election draws closer, all eyes will be on Trump and Vance to see if they pivot back towards a more conservative platform on abortion. For Rose and other activists, the call for principled leadership remains paramount. "If he's politically wise, and if he wants to stand again on principle, that would be what he should do," she concluded, signaling that the path forward is clear but may require significant changes from those at the top.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Rose told PMG Magazine, “It’s disappointing to say — but perhaps he personally lacks principle on this issue.” Her stance is causing a rift among conservatives, with some arguing that Trump's presidency would still be preferable for the anti-abortion cause compared to a potential Harris administration. However, Rose remains unconvinced, indicating she might write in another candidate if the election were held now.
She elaborated on her concerns, stating, “Don’t get me wrong. … I would love to see him stop saying this nonsense about supporting abortion. But unfortunately, that's not the case.” When asked about her current plans, Rose said she’s watching to see if Trump revises his position, hinting she could still be persuaded if he demonstrated a commitment to anti-abortion policies.
Rose has previously reached out to both the Trump and Harris campaigns seeking assurances that their public statements on abortion would not translate into anti-abortion actions once in office. She highlighted that trust in Trump's anti-abortion stance has been eroded, especially since he is not aligning with the positions he took during the 2016 campaign.
Addressing the dilemma of choosing the lesser of two evils, Rose emphasized that it is crucial for the pro-life movement to demand more rather than settling for minimal assurances from political candidates. She argued that no one "owns the pro-life vote" and that it must be earned by genuine commitment to the cause.
In response to whether withholding support from Trump could inadvertently help Harris, Rose mentioned that there are other candidates and the possibility of write-in votes. She is holding out hope that Trump will return to a robust anti-abortion stance, which could influence her vote.
Finally, when discussing why Trump might have shifted his position on abortion, Rose speculated that he might be receiving poor advice and misjudging the electoral implications of abandoning his previously strong anti-abortion rhetoric. She stressed that maintaining a pro-life stance is not only a moral issue but also politically sensible if Trump hopes to energize his base.Rose’s concerns about Trump’s recent rhetoric are shared by many in the anti-abortion community, who worry that moderating his stance is a dangerous gamble. They fear it could alienate the very base that helped propel him to victory in 2016. Rose stated that the current messaging from Trump and Vance has not only confused voters but also risks disenfranchising staunch anti-abortion advocates who expect uncompromising commitment to the cause.
In discussing Trump's potential strategies, she lamented, “He’s alienating his base.” By attempting to appeal to a broader voter demographic, Trump risks losing the core supporters who view the anti-abortion movement as non-negotiable. Rose underscored the importance for GOP candidates to clearly articulate their position on life issues to maintain credibility among their constituents.
The stakes are high as the November election nears, and Rose's outspoken position is indicative of a larger divide within the Republican Party regarding the future of the anti-abortion agenda. This internal conflict could serve as a bellwether for the party's direction on social issues, particularly as younger voters increasingly engage with these topics and express differing views.
Moreover, Rose’s willingness to consider alternative candidates or even write-ins reflects a growing sentiment among some conservative activists that it’s imperative to hold leaders accountable for their promises. As the political landscape shifts, anti-abortion advocates like Rose are pushing for a reevaluation of strategies that demand clarity and commitment from those who seek their support.
As she continues to advocate for robust anti-abortion policies, there is also an underlying call for unity among pro-life activists to focus on the long-term goals of the movement. Rose believes in advocating for uncompromising principles rather than merely settling for the political expedience of supporting candidates with diluted positions. "It's our job if we want to be an effective lobbying group in any way, to demand more and to say, 'If you want my vote, I need to see more from you,'" she stated, emphasizing the need for sustained advocacy.
In the months leading up to the election, how Rose and her supporters navigate this intricate political landscape will not only influence the anti-abortion movement but also impact the broader GOP agenda. With several high-stakes issues on the table, the dynamics within the Republican Party could very well shift, creating a pivotal moment for both Trump’s campaign and the future of the anti-abortion movement as a whole.
As the election draws closer, all eyes will be on Trump and Vance to see if they pivot back towards a more conservative platform on abortion. For Rose and other activists, the call for principled leadership remains paramount. "If he's politically wise, and if he wants to stand again on principle, that would be what he should do," she concluded, signaling that the path forward is clear but may require significant changes from those at the top.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
