How Trump’s Abortion Comments are Impacting the Anti-Abortion Movement

Updated at 9:00 a.m. ET on September 22, 2023

A few weeks ago, the prominent Texas anti-abortion activist, Mark Lee Dickson, compared Donald Trump to Constantine, the Roman emperor who championed Christianity. However, after Trump’s recent comments on abortion, Dickson and other members of the anti-abortion movement are feeling conflicted. Trump’s statements go against their decades-long goal of ending abortion in all 50 states.

The Texas “heartbeat ban” architect had been planning a big Trump rally in Lubbock but is now concerned about supporting someone whose views don’t align with their cause. Dickson stated, “What I want to do is get up onstage and brag about Trump. But at this point, his statements do not represent what we have worked for for 50 years.”

Trump’s comments on Meet the Press shocked and outraged the anti-abortion movement. He not only expressed low priority for a federal abortion ban in a potential second term, but also criticized Florida’s six-week abortion ban as “terrible.” Conservative figures like Allie Beth Stuckey and Lila Rose condemned Trump, and even Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, said, “Trump just broke my heart.”

The backlash from the anti-abortion movement stems from their fear that Trump’s comments undermine their cause. They question what he truly believes about Texas outlawing abortion from conception. Trump’s stance on abortion bans may alienate a significant portion of his Texas support base.

Some advocates are now writing Trump off, while others are urging him to retract his statements. However, Trump’s unorthodox political instincts should not be underestimated. He seems to recognize that talking about abortion bans may not resonate with most voters, as a majority of Americans support access to abortion. Trump is the only Republican candidate acknowledging this fact, but the question remains whether this will harm his chances.

Despite the outcry, Trump’s core supporters remain fiercely loyal, and his remarks on abortion are unlikely to sway their support. In fact, these comments may even help him in a general election. Trump has a unique ability to adapt his positions, sounding more moderate compared to staunch conservatives like Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence.

The Meet the Press interview initially did not raise alarm bells within the pro-life camp. While Trump refused to commit to federal anti-abortion legislation, he did hint at some form of restriction and mentioned finding a compromise with Democrats. His remarks were typical of his vague, self-promoting style. However, things took a turn when he called out Florida’s six-week ban as a “terrible thing and a terrible mistake.”

Immediately, DeSantis’ campaign staff reassured supporters that their candidate would never sell out conservatives for media praise or appease the Left. Other Republican candidates also criticized Trump’s stance. The right-to-life activists felt abandoned by their leader, seeing his comments as a betrayal of their cause.

It is surprising that these activists are surprised by Trump’s position. He has consistently demonstrated his independence and lack of allegiance to any particular principle. Trump’s previous pro-choice stance as a New York Democrat should have been a clue that he is not a die-hard anti-abortion advocate like Pence. Despite his clumsy 2016 comments about punishing women seeking abortions, voters largely dismissed the misstep.

Trump’s ability to maintain support even after such controversies poses a challenge for his opponents. Many have tried to expose him as a fake conservative, but this strategy has consistently failed. Trump’s campaign style and rhetoric may not align with conservatism, but his Supreme Court appointments have won over traditional conservatives, including anti-abortion activists.

This presents a dilemma for Democrats, who want the 2024 campaign to focus on abortion to rally voters in their favor. However, Trump’s potential shift towards compromise and his accusations of extremism within his own party may complicate their strategy. Trump might moderate the intensity of the issue and present himself as a moderate compared to staunch conservative candidates like DeSantis and Pence.

Although some anti-abortion groups are outraged by Trump’s comments, it’s important to note that Trump still maintains a significant lead in national polls, including in Iowa. There is no evidence of an imminent Republican realignment led by anti-abortion activists, so Democrats will face challenges in painting Trump as an extremist.

While Trump’s abortion comments have sparked controversy within the anti-abortion movement, it remains to be seen how much impact they will have on Trump’s overall support and the 2024 campaign’s focus on abortion.