Donald Trump said Thursday he would vote against a Florida referendum that would expand abortion access in his adopted state, after expressing his disagreement with a stricter six-week ban that left his opinion open to question.
This came just days after Trump criticised Florida’s ban on abortions at six weeks of pregnancy in an interview with DailyMail.com, saying: “I think it should be more than six weeks.”
His campaign aides insisted his comments did not reveal his final position, which the candidate later clarified in an interview with Fox News on Friday night after pressure from pro-life groups.
“So I think it takes six more weeks of time, and then six more weeks. I’ve disagreed with that since the first primaries, when I found out about it, I didn’t agree with that,” Trump told the network, echoing the sentiment.
“At the same time, Democrats are radical because nine months is a ridiculous situation where you can have an abortion in the ninth month… So I’m voting no for that reason,” Trump said.
The ballot amendment she now publicly opposes bans abortion restrictions until fetal viability, roughly 24 weeks — or six months — of pregnancy, with exceptions covering the life and health of the mother.
With a choice on Amendment 4 offering a simple yes or no to voters, his answer horrified allies in the anti-abortion movement who are a core part of his coalition. It followed other comments on protecting reproductive rights as Trump hopes to avoid the difficulties he has endured in elections in the intervening years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump appointed three of the conservative justices who determined the majority ruling.
And his campaign cleaned up shop Thursday night after Trump made similar comments to NBC News.
“President Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the Florida ballot initiative, simply reiterating that he believes six weeks is too short,” said Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the Trump campaign.
Trump had told NBC that “I’m going to vote that we need more than six weeks,” further confusing the issue, given that this is a vote for or against the referendum in question.
Donald Trump said he has already decided how he will vote in Florida’s upcoming referendum on banning abortions at six weeks gestation. “I think six weeks is a mistake,” he said. “And I’ll say that soon, but I want more than six weeks.”
At Mar-a-Lago, she told DailyMail.com that she had already decided how she would vote. “Well, I know, but I want more than six weeks,” she said. “I want more than six weeks.
Conservative commentator Erik Erikson was among those who bristled at Trump’s recent comments before he finally came out against the referendum, in a night of high-profile interviews with Kamala Harris.
“Instead of putting all the attention on Kamala Harris’s interview tonight, Trump decided to further divide the Republican Party. Not a good strategy for winning,” he posted on X.
Florida bans almost all abortions after six weeks and, when asked how he would vote on a measure that would extend the limit beyond 20 weeks, Trump told DailyMail.com: “I want more than six weeks.”
Trump has walked a narrow path on this issue, knowing that it could be key to the 2024 election.
During his administration he was happy to be seen as the most pro-life president in history.
He took credit for ending federal abortion protections after the Supreme Court (including three of his picks) overturned Roe v Wade.
But he has since expressed concern that Republicans could be beaten at the polls if they push hardline federal bans.
Instead, he said it was up to the states to decide the matter.
But when his home state of Florida votes in November on Amendment 4, which would allow abortions up to the point of “viability” — when fetuses can survive outside the mother’s womb — he can’t help but explain his personal position for good.
He made a public revelation on the issue when DailyMail.com asked him how he would vote.
“I think six weeks is a mistake. And I’ll say that soon, but I want more than six weeks,” he said at his Mar-a-Lago home, speaking for the first time about his thoughts on the referendum.
“And in Florida, we have a six-week program, and that’s what I think they’re voting for, and I think it should be longer than six weeks.”
The Trump campaign issued a statement clarifying its position.
Democrats are putting abortion referendums on the ballot in November in several states
There is no alternative to yes or no, delighting women’s right to choose advocates who took to social media to voice their support.
He said the same thing in a second television interview a day later.
But a key anti-abortion leader immediately contacted Trump to verify his position.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said Trump told her he had not yet made a commitment on how he would vote.
“President Trump has consistently opposed abortions after five months of pregnancy. Amendment 4 would allow abortion after that point. Voting in favor of Amendment 4 completely undermines his position,” she said.
Trump fueled concerns among his anti-abortion allies with this post last week when he used the language of opponents when referring to women and their “reproductive rights.”
‘We strongly support Florida’s current heartbeat law. Those who agree with the idea of drawing a different limit should vote against Amendment 4 unless they want no limit at all. Amendment 4 would block unlimited abortion in the state constitution, preventing the Florida legislature from enacting changes.’
Florida’s hardline abortion law was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year.
“Donald Trump has consistently stated that late-term abortions where the baby can feel pain should never be allowed, and he has always defended the rights of parents,” said Taryn Fenske, communications director for the governor’s office.
‘Amendment 4 would allow late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent and open the door to taxpayer-funded abortions. It is extreme and must be defeated.’