Former President Donald Trump made headlines on Monday by releasing a video on Truth Social, where he expressed his view that abortion laws should be determined by individual states.
“My view is now that we have abortion where everyone wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state,” said the former president in a video posted on his social media.
Trump’s video arrives amidst a growing focus on reproductive rights, which is poised to be a pivotal issue in the upcoming November general election. While abortion has historically been seen as a partisan topic, recent events, such as the success of reproductive freedom referendums in Republican-leaning states, reveal a shifting landscape. A majority of Americans from both sides of the political aisle now believe that abortion decisions should rest solely with the pregnant individual.
Trump’s new position has sparked backlash from various groups. His anti-abortion supporters are outraged by his lack of advocacy for a nationwide abortion ban, while proponents of reproductive freedom express disbelief given Trump’s history on the issue and his previous statements claiming full responsibility for the overturn of Roe.
This controversy highlights a broader shift. Ultra-conservative measures, such as Alabama’s bill threatening IVF, have polarized voters across party lines. The intrusion on personal autonomy by anti-choice movements no longer resonates uniformly within party demographics and bipartisan support for abortion rights is emerging. Even Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, who has branded herself as being “100% pro-life” and has called abortion the “ultimate sin,” has now backtracked on her support for the state’s total ban on abortion.
As the election nears, it is clear that abortion is poised to be a deciding factor.
