Former First Lady Melania Trump has faced backlash from the pro-life community following her expression of pro-abortion sentiments in her upcoming memoir and a video message shared on X.
Her memoir, titled “Melania,” is set to be published on October 8, just a month before the presidential election. It discusses her life, family, time in the White House, and her views on the legality of abortion. Excerpts from the book were released by The Guardian recently.
In the memoir, Melania Trump asserts the importance of allowing women to make autonomous choices regarding childbearing without interference from the government. She emphasizes, “Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” and states that denying a woman the right to choose is akin to denying her control over her own body. She has maintained this belief throughout her adult life.
In a subsequent video released on Thursday, Melania reiterated her stance, stressing that individual freedom is an essential right for all women. “What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?” she posed.
Former President Donald Trump commented on his wife’s remarks, noting that he encouraged her to express her honest beliefs without imposing his views on her. He stated, “You have to stick with your heart.”
Reactions from pro-life leaders have been critical of Melania Trump’s statements. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, highlighted the organization’s priority in defeating the Democrat push for unrestricted abortion access while expressing concern over Melania’s comments. She argued that women facing unplanned pregnancies need more resources, not more abortions.
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, criticized Melania’s perspective, arguing that pregnancy involves two lives and suggesting that her book missed an opportunity to inspire. Some pro-life advocates have expressed frustration over Donald Trump’s campaign’s perceived shift away from pro-life values.
Lila Rose, president of Live Action, claimed that Melania Trump’s views align closely with those of Vice President Kamala Harris on abortion. Legal scholar Robert P. George suggested that her comments were strategically communicated to signal to pro-abortion voters, alleging that they marked a departure from a previous pro-life stance.
In terms of their positions on abortion, Donald Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices who participated in overturning Roe v. Wade, allowing states to implement various abortion laws. As he navigates his 2024 campaign, he seeks to balance pro-life voter support with the expectations of independents. Recently, he stated that he would veto laws banning abortion, advocating for state discretion based on voter sentiment.
In contrast, Kamala Harris supports a federal law to legalize abortion up until the point of viability, around the 23rd or 24th week of pregnancy, and has remained non-committal on late-term abortion restrictions. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has enacted laws that facilitate broader abortion access in his state.