It’s no wonder Donald Trump picked April 8, 2024, to announce his clearest position yet on the thorniest issue dogging Republicans.
He was hoping to be eclipsed.
On Monday, as millions of Americans watched wall-to-wall media coverage of the most spectacular solar event in years, Trump released a two-minute video outlining how he, as president, would deal with the abortion question.
Nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – scrapping the Constitutional right to abortion – the issue remains a third rail of American politics.
Indeed, voter backlash at the 2022 midterms and 2023 elections provided ample evidence that the Roe decision will represent something of a headache for the GOP come November.
So, what is Trump’s big plan?
Well, it is – essentially – to do nothing.
‘The states will determine [abortion laws] by vote or legislation… and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,’ he said in his message released on Truth Social.
To be clear, that is just a reiteration of the status quo.
It’s no wonder Donald Trump picked April 8, 2024, to announce his clearest position yet on the thorniest issue dogging Republicans. He was hoping to be eclipsed.
Since the 2022 Supreme Court decision, rules governing abortions have been left up to state legislatures and ballot referendums.
Some states have adopted very strict laws. Governor Ron DeSantis’s Florida may soon only permit abortions within the first 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Other states have hardly imposed any restrictions at all. Governor Gavin Newsom’s California has even promoted itself as an abortion tourism destination.
But it’s what Trump didn’t say that has some conservatives upset.
Pro-lifers, who, unlike Trump, have deeply held moral views on this matter, are angry that he did not explicitly declare his support for a national abortion ban.
Without a federal law, they argue, liberal states will open up for abortions on demand and through the third trimester of pregnancy.
Trump had previously flirted with endorsing a 16-week national limit that included exceptions for rape, incest and risks to the life of the mother, so the pro-life movement had reason to hold out hope.
Ultimately, though, Trump dodged the issue entirely earning him a rare rebuke from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who posted: ‘I respectfully disagree with President Trump’s statement that abortion is a states’ rights issue.’
Sorry, Lindsey, Trump is effectively right.
The federal government can’t do much about abortion anytime soon. Neither party can expect to control the 60 U.S. Senate seats necessary to pass new legislation. A national abortion ban is a political impossibility.
Not letting the facts get in the way, the Biden-Harris re-election campaign issued a scathing statement in response to Trump’s announcement insisting he would sign a national ban if re-elected president.
Not letting the facts get in the way, the Biden-Harris re-election campaign issued a scathing statement in response to Trump’s announcement insisting he would sign a national ban if re-elected president.
‘Let there be no illusion. If Donald Trump is elected and the MAGA Republicans in Congress put a national abortion ban on the Resolute Desk, Trump will sign it into law,’ the statement read.
Let there be no illusion – that’s flat wrong.
But Democrats sense a political winner here.
On Monday, the Biden campaign released a brutal new political ad – highlighting the story of Texas woman Amanda Zurawski.
Zurawski sued the state after she was allegedly denied an emergency abortion under Texas’ new law. She claims she didn’t receive the care she needed until she went into septic shock.
The video closes with the line: ‘Trump did this.’
The ad is part of a $30 million campaign that will air in battleground states.
Its effectiveness is undeniable – even while its claims about Trump are debatable.
For all the criticism of the former president – he supports the exceptions that would have helped Ms. Zurawski and there is no suggestion whatsoever that he plans to instigate a national abortion ban.
On Monday, the Biden campaign released a brutal new political ad (above) – highlighting the story of Texas woman Amanda Zurawski.
When you see Vice President Kamala Harris touring an abortion clinic like any other politician tours a new manufacturing facility, you know where their campaign is headed.
Of course, Biden knows that – but his faltering campaign is banking on stoking abortion restriction fears to boost sagging liberal enthusiasm.
When you see Vice President Kamala Harris touring an abortion clinic like any other politician tours a new manufacturing facility, you know where their campaign is headed.
The abortion issue is the only one on which Americans trust Biden more than Trump.
On the Economy? Immigration? Forget it.
So, did Trump do the ‘right’ thing politically?
Only time will tell.
But at the end of the day, Trump knows that pro-life voters, however unhappy they may be over Monday’s announcement, would still rather see hell freeze over than vote for Biden.
What about the undecided women, moderates and independents, who Trump sorely needs to win in November?
Perhaps some will have been placated.
Though the Trump campaign was likely hoping that they were watching the eclipse, and that when it comes time to vote, that they’ll be thinking about the broken southern border, crime in the streets and prices in the grocery store – instead of abortion.