Former President Donald Trump has hinted at potentially endorsing a 15-week federal abortion ban, according to a recent interview. “There seems to be a consensus around the 15-week mark, and I’m considering aligning with that. It appears to be a reasonable compromise, even among staunch conservatives,” Trump stated during a radio interview on “Sid & Friends in the Morning.”
Trump reiterated his stance on exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is at risk. Last month, he told Fox News that he was still undecided about supporting a federal abortion ban, but noted that the 15-week mark was increasingly being discussed.
Over the weekend, in another Fox News interview, Trump indicated that he would soon make a decision on whether to back a federal abortion ban. This comes amidst criticism from President Joe Biden and his allies, who have been highlighting Trump’s stance on abortion as a key issue this year.
Following a report by The New York Times last month that Trump had privately expressed support for a 16-week federal ban, Biden accused Trump of attempting to “strip away your rights”, while positioning himself as a protector of those rights. However, a Trump campaign spokesperson refuted the claim, stating that Trump had not yet committed to supporting a national abortion ban.
Trump has been cautious about taking a definitive stance on abortion, acknowledging the divisive nature of the issue within the Republican party. He has criticized his party’s messaging on the issue, while also frequently highlighting his role in the elimination of federal abortion protections, a move that followed his appointment of three Supreme Court justices who voted with the conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Trump has also pointed to the restrictive abortion laws enacted across the country following the overturning of Roe as a significant achievement of his administration. However, he has previously drawn the ire of anti-abortion activists by criticizing six-week state abortion bans as “too harsh.”
Emphasizing the importance of electoral success, Trump noted that many Republican candidates who adopted hard-line stances on abortion post-Roe ended up losing their elections. “We still have to win elections,” he stressed.
This article has been updated with additional information.