Former President Donald Trump has stated that he will vote against a Florida ballot measure to protect abortion rights, following backlash from conservative supporters. His announcement came a day after he appeared to support the measure during an NBC News interview, which led to criticism from anti-abortion activists.
In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated his belief that Florida’s current ban on abortions after six weeks is too restrictive. However, he clarified that he would still oppose a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, arguing that more time is needed than the six-week limit allows. Trump also falsely claimed that Democrats support allowing abortions at any stage of pregnancy, which he used to justify his stance against the Florida ballot measure.
The issue of abortion rights has led to varied state laws across the United States, with procedures after 21 weeks being rare and often linked to fetal anomalies or risks to the mother’s life, as noted by the non-profit health organization KFF.
Trump’s position has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. His Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, accused him of maintaining an extreme anti-abortion stance. Meanwhile, anti-abortion advocates have expressed concern that his comments may alienate pro-life voters, with some suggesting that his statements could impact his political support among conservatives. Despite the controversy, Trump’s campaign has emphasized that he has not yet made a final decision on the ballot measure, indicating that he will base his vote on his judgment.
