Former President Donald Trump emphasized his strong support for IVF by referring to himself as the “father of IVF” on the 16th (local time), aiming to gain the support of female voters.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate who has been strengthening her support among women by highlighting abortion issues, immediately countered, urging people not to be swayed by his words.
During a town hall meeting on Fox News’ ‘Faulkner Focus’ that aired that morning, Trump stated, “I want to talk about IVF. I am the father of IVF,” expressing his active endorsement of IVF.
In August, Trump had promised a policy of covering all costs related to IVF procedures for infertile couples through government or insurance payments.
As reproductive rights, including abortion rights—the right for women to decide independently regarding childbirth—emerged as a key election issue, Trump showcased a ‘leftward shift’ by supporting IVF despite opposition from conservative supporters who hold negative views on the procedure.
The town hall meeting, recorded the previous day in Cumming, Georgia, and aired exclusively featured a female moderator and an all-female audience.
Trump’s attempt to boost support among female voters is seen as a strategic move, as he lags behind his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in gaining the support of female voters.
At the event, Trump recounted a recent phone call from Alabama Senator Katie Britt, who contacted him after a judge in Alabama ruled that IVF clinics were illegal and should be shut down. “I asked her to explain IVF, understood it in two minutes, and expressed my full support,” Trump shared.
He continued, “We are the party for IVF, and we want fertilization. Although the Democrats tried to attack us, we are more supportive of IVF than they are. We fully support it,” he emphasized.
Regarding abortion rights, Trump reiterated his stance that after appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices during his presidency, the now conservative-majority Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which federally guaranteed abortion rights, and stated that decisions should now be left to the states.
“This issue (abortion rights) has divided the country for 52 years, so the decision has returned to each state,” he said. “There will be votes by the residents in each state, and through that system, decisions will be made and implemented, which ultimately will be the right thing,” he concluded.
(Photo = Yonhap News)