- The Washington Times - Thursday, October 3, 2024

Former first lady Melania Trump says there is “no room for compromise” when it comes to women’s freedom and their bodies, wading into the hot-button topic of abortion about a month before Election Day.

The wife of former President and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump offered her pro-choice sentiments in a social media post on Thursday, at a time when the issue of abortion rights is playing a central role in the campaign debate.

Mrs. Trump is even more direct in her forthcoming memoir, saying a woman has the right to choose to have an abortion “without pressure from the government,” according to excerpts.

Her position is notable, given that her husband appointed the Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and the national right to abortion in 2022.

“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes,” Mrs. Trump writes in her upcoming memoir, according to excerpts obtained by The Guardian.

“Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body,” she says in the book. “I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”

Mrs. Trump’s public stance is remarkable for several reasons. She is relatively private and rarely speaks out on political issues, and abortion has been a prominent issue in Mr. Trump’s battle with Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris to retake the White House.

Democrats are repeatedly pointing to state limits on abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling and Mr. Trump’s role in appointing conservative justices.

Mr. Trump often takes credit for putting the abortion question in the hands of states through the court’s decision, saying many constitutional scholars agree with his approach. It’s an effort to court pro-life voters who are essential to his coalition from deserting him in November.

At the same time, Mr. Trump has tried to walk a fine line on abortion limits, which could be a drag on his broader appeal. He insists the issue is best left up to the individual states to regulate and says he would not sign a nationwide ban.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser took exception with Mrs. Trump’s comments, but said her organization remains committed to defeating Ms. Harris “and the Democrats’ push to nationally mandate no-limits abortion on demand funded by every taxpayer.”

“In her comments on abortion, first lady Melania Trump calls abortion ’freedom,’” Ms. Dannenfelser said. “However, most women say their abortion was coerced, unwanted or inconsistent with their own preferences. Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions.”

Mrs. Trump underscored her stance in a somewhat cryptic post on X that serves as a teaser for her memoir, “Melania,” which will be released this fall.

“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard. Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth — individual freedom,” Mrs. Trump says in the video. “What does, ’My body, my choice,’ really mean?’”

Emily’s List, a group that works to elect pro-choice Democratic women, said Mrs. Trump should make a clean break with her husband at the ballot box.

“If Melania cares about protecting abortion, I recommend she vote for the only presidential candidate that will protect that right: Kamala Harris,” said Sara Spain, director of strategic communications at Emily’s List. “Melania’s views aren’t Donald Trump’s, and if he’s elected he’ll ban abortion. Full stop. Voters understand this and aren’t going to lose sight of this, regardless of this announcement.”

The Washington Times reached out to Mrs. Trump’s press team for comment on her decision to lean into the issue during the campaign.

Her stance is already making waves online. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump communications aide-turned-critic, said Ms. Harris will use the material against Mr. Trump before Election Day.

Melania Trump coming to a Kamala Harris ad near you!” Ms. Griffin posted on X.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

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