Trump Downplays Abortion’s Impact in November, Hints at Possible Federal Restrictions

This article was originally published by The 19th.

Former President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he believes abortion will be a “small issue” in the upcoming November elections now that state lawmakers hold the authority to ban the procedure. However, he left the door open for federal restrictions that might “supplement” state policies.

When asked by a reporter if he would use presidential power to restrict access to drugs commonly used in medication abortions, Trump’s response was ambiguous. His unclear stance sparked speculation on whether he was open to restricting mifepristone, a drug used in approximately two-thirds of abortions, or if he misunderstood the question.

During the news conference, the dialogue unfolded as follows:

Reporter: There are other things the federal government could do, not just a ban. Would you direct your FDA to revoke access to mifepristone? That’s one of the things that’s been discussed.

Trump: Sure, you can do things that will supplement. Absolutely. And those things are pretty open, and humane, but you have to be able to have a vote, and all I want to do is give everybody a vote, and the votes are taking place right now as we speak.

Reporter: Is that something you would consider?

Trump: There are many things on a humane basis that you can do — outside of that, but you also have to give a vote, and the people are going to have to decide.

His comments were made during an impromptu news conference at Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Florida. During the hour-long session, Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as “not smart” and misrepresenting her positions. He claimed Harris wants to “take away everyone’s guns” and that under a Democratic administration, people would be “forced to buy an electric car.”

Trump also revealed that he had agreed to face Harris in three debates hosted by Fox News, ABC News, and NBC News. Harris has reportedly agreed to the ABC News debate scheduled for September 10.

When questioned about his campaign strategy on abortion, Trump swiftly dismissed its significance, stating, “abortion has become much less of an issue. It’s a very — I think it’s actually going to be a very small issue.”

Nonetheless, Trump repeated a false claim that most Americans wanted Roe v. Wade overturned. Polls consistently show that about two-thirds of Americans opposed the Supreme Court’s decision, which ended the federal right to abortion. While Trump has indicated he would not support a national ban on abortion, he acknowledged that there might be federal measures that could restrict access to the procedure.

Trump pointed out that abortion rights initiatives have succeeded in several traditionally conservative states, including Ohio and Kansas. He noted, “They had a big vote, and it turned out to be a much more liberal standing than people would have thought. Kansas the same thing.”

Trump refrained from declaring his stance on a proposed constitutional amendment in Florida that would enshrine abortion rights until fetal viability. He mentioned plans to announce his position during a future news conference and predicted that “the vote will go in a little more liberal way than people thought.”