Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is attempting to convince far-right white evangelicals that he is more anti-abortion than 2024 presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, citing Trump’s criticism of signing a six-week abortion ban into law. However, polls released in late September show DeSantis trailing Trump by 52 percent or 51 percent.
Trump is anti-abortion, claiming that the three justices he appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. However, he has criticized Florida’s six-week abortion ban as too severe, fearing it will alienate swing voters. Trump’s position on abortion is raising frustration among anti-abortion activists and spurring Republican primary opponents to try to peel away conservative religious voters from the former president.
Anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson argues that there is no compromise on whether abortion should be legal or not, and any candidate who is truly pro-life should be able to vow to sign any pro-life legislation. Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Trump supporter and Religious Right activist, defended Trump during a recent appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” stating that Trump is “very pro-life” but acknowledging “a political reality.”
March for Life President Jeanne Mancini also stated that any politician, particularly one who claims to be pro-life, cannot support lifesaving measures, with at least a minimum 15-week federal standard protecting children past the point at which they can feel pain.
