Trump Opposes Florida's Six-Week Abortion Ban, Says "He Opposes" Measure in His Home State
However, the former president remains tight-lipped about his stance on voting for the ballot measure that aims to repeal the new restriction.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Donald Trump has expressed his disapproval of the six-week abortion ban enacted in Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis, a stance that has surprised some given his previous alignment with conservative abortion policies. Despite his adopted state being a hotspot for this controversial legislation, Trump has hinted that he might not support its repeal.
In a television interview on Thursday, Trump critiqued the restriction as overly stringent, suggesting that the timeline should be extended. However, confusion arose when his campaign later issued a clarification. “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,” the statement outlined.
During the NBC News interview, Trump commented on the Florida legislation enacted after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. “I think the six week (ban) is too short — it has to be more time,” Trump stated. “I told them I want more weeks.”
Though not directly stating his voting intentions for Amendment 4, which DeSantis opposes, Trump implied a leaning towards supporting it by saying, “I’m going to be voting that we need more than six weeks.”
Trump’s statements mark a shift towards a more moderate approach on abortion, perhaps in reaction to the political repercussions the issue has had on Republicans following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by a Supreme Court with a conservative majority, established under his presidency.
The swift enactment of the six-week ban by DeSantis and other state Republicans, which followed the Roe reversal, was a significant move in DeSantis’s unsuccessful presidential campaign. Trump's recent remarks could influence the campaign for Amendment 4 positively, thanks to his substantial backing in Florida. DeSantis's spokesperson, Jeremy Redfern, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The opposition to Amendment 4, represented by spokesperson Taryn Fenske from the Vote No on 4 campaign, focused on the broader implications of the amendment without directly responding to Trump's position. “Donald Trump has previously stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and he’s always stood up for parents’ rights,” Fenske highlighted.
In contrast, Natasha Sutherland, a spokesperson for the Amendment 4 campaign, emphasized the bipartisan support for the amendment. “We know that the passage of Amendment 4 is a nonpartisan issue– Republican, Democrat or independent, the overwhelming majority of Floridians do not want the government making decisions for them when it comes to something as personal and complicated as pregnancy,” she stated.
Additionally, Trump is advocating for wider acceptance of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), particularly in light of legal challenges that emerged from a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. At a Michigan rally, Trump declared his support for government or insurance-covered IVF treatments, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on prospective parents.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has criticized Trump's variable stance, particularly in light of his influence over the Supreme Court's lineup. Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for Harris, remarked, “Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters aren’t stupid.” She referred to the profound effects of the Roe v. Wade overturn, suggesting that IVF and women's freedoms are already being jeopardized.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
In a television interview on Thursday, Trump critiqued the restriction as overly stringent, suggesting that the timeline should be extended. However, confusion arose when his campaign later issued a clarification. “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,” the statement outlined.
During the NBC News interview, Trump commented on the Florida legislation enacted after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. “I think the six week (ban) is too short — it has to be more time,” Trump stated. “I told them I want more weeks.”
Though not directly stating his voting intentions for Amendment 4, which DeSantis opposes, Trump implied a leaning towards supporting it by saying, “I’m going to be voting that we need more than six weeks.”
Trump’s statements mark a shift towards a more moderate approach on abortion, perhaps in reaction to the political repercussions the issue has had on Republicans following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by a Supreme Court with a conservative majority, established under his presidency.
The swift enactment of the six-week ban by DeSantis and other state Republicans, which followed the Roe reversal, was a significant move in DeSantis’s unsuccessful presidential campaign. Trump's recent remarks could influence the campaign for Amendment 4 positively, thanks to his substantial backing in Florida. DeSantis's spokesperson, Jeremy Redfern, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The opposition to Amendment 4, represented by spokesperson Taryn Fenske from the Vote No on 4 campaign, focused on the broader implications of the amendment without directly responding to Trump's position. “Donald Trump has previously stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and he’s always stood up for parents’ rights,” Fenske highlighted.
In contrast, Natasha Sutherland, a spokesperson for the Amendment 4 campaign, emphasized the bipartisan support for the amendment. “We know that the passage of Amendment 4 is a nonpartisan issue– Republican, Democrat or independent, the overwhelming majority of Floridians do not want the government making decisions for them when it comes to something as personal and complicated as pregnancy,” she stated.
Additionally, Trump is advocating for wider acceptance of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), particularly in light of legal challenges that emerged from a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. At a Michigan rally, Trump declared his support for government or insurance-covered IVF treatments, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on prospective parents.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has criticized Trump's variable stance, particularly in light of his influence over the Supreme Court's lineup. Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for Harris, remarked, “Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters aren’t stupid.” She referred to the profound effects of the Roe v. Wade overturn, suggesting that IVF and women's freedoms are already being jeopardized.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
