Trump Faces Backlash from Anti-Abortion Groups After Mentioning “Reproductive Rights”

Former President Donald Trump is facing criticism from anti-abortion advocates after using the term “reproductive rights” in a post on his Truth Social platform on August 23. Republicans have accused him of sounding too much like a Democrat on the sensitive issue of abortion.

According to Politico, Trump’s use of the term may be part of his campaign’s effort to change the conversation around abortion, especially as polls show Vice President Kamala Harris gaining support against him. The statement has upset many in the anti-abortion community.

Lila Rose, founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, expressed her disapproval on her podcast, saying Trump seemed to be trying to win over pro-abortion supporters. “It’s not principled, and it’s not going to help his campaign to sound like a Democrat right now,” Rose said.

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, also voiced frustration on X (formerly known as Twitter), noting that Trump’s post had upset many in the pro-life movement. Phillip Klein, editor at National Review, added that it looks like Trump is siding with the pro-abortion camp.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, warned that Trump’s shift could hurt both him and the Republican Party. “My advice: When you’re in a hole, stop digging. This week showed that the Democratic Party has control of the abortion issue. Trump is not only losing his own supporters, but he’s also hurting Republican candidates who are fully pro-life,” Perkins told The New York Times.

The Trump campaign responded to the criticism, saying that his use of the term aligns with his stance that states should have the power to decide their own abortion laws.

“President Trump has always supported individuals’ rights in their states to determine their abortion laws,” said Karoline Leavitt, the campaign’s national press secretary. “He also supports ensuring women have access to care like IVF, birth control, and contraception.”

Trump has had conflicts with anti-abortion advocates before, blaming them for the GOP’s losses in the 2022 midterm elections. He has also refused to support a nationwide abortion ban, saying the decision should be left to individual states.

At the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris linked the current state of abortion rights in the U.S. to Trump’s actions. “Donald Trump picked members of the Supreme Court who took away reproductive freedom. Now, he brags about it. This is happening because of him, and he’s not done yet,” Harris said.

As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s evolving stance on abortion will likely remain a key issue among voters and within his own party.