Trump Backs 6-Week Abortion Ban after Flip-Flop on Florida Amendment
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, has reversed his position on Florida’s restrictive abortion policies within just 24 hours. On Thursday, in an NBC News interview, Trump indicated he was against the state’s six-week abortion ban, calling it "too short" and stating his preference for allowing more time. “I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks,” Trump said.
However, by Friday, facing intense backlash from his right-wing base, Trump changed course. Speaking to Fox News’ Bryan Llenas, Trump endorsed Florida’s six-week abortion ban and confirmed he would vote against Florida Amendment 4, a ballot measure that would protect abortion rights under the state constitution. Despite reiterating discomfort with the six-week limit, Trump dismissed Florida Amendment 4 by lying about the bill. “The nine months is just a ridiculous situation," Trump claimed, adding, "I will be voting no for that reason."
Trump's lies about the bill are blatant. Florida Amendment 4 does not permit unrestricted late-term abortions. Instead, the amendment enshrines a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability, typically around 23 to 24 weeks. It also allows for post-viability abortions only when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by a healthcare provider.
Florida’s restrictive law has drawn fierce opposition from reproductive rights activists, who are campaigning to secure the protections offered by Amendment 4.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign is responding with a full-throttle defense of reproductive rights. On Tuesday, the campaign will launch a “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom” bus tour in Palm Beach, Florida—Trump’s hometown. The tour, which will feature surrogates like Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, aims to emphasize Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s (D) commitment to restoring Roe v. Wade protections. The tour will travel across red, blue, and battleground states, making at least 50 stops, and will work to hold Trump accountable for his role in the erosion of abortion rights across the country.
As Florida prepares for a high-stakes vote on abortion this November, Trump’s flip-flop on the issue underscores the tightrope he walks between his base and the broader electorate. The move by Trump also shows he is likely to endorse a similar abortion ban at the national level should he be elected. The stark contrast between Trump’s evolving position and the Harris campaign’s clear stance on reproductive rights could shape the 2024 election and the future of abortion access in the United States.
