Former First Lady Melania Trump has faced backlash from the pro-life community following the revelation of her pro-abortion stance in her forthcoming memoir, set for release on October 8. The memoir includes details of her life, family, time in the White House, and her support for legal abortion, drawing attention with excerpts published recently.
In her memoir titled “Melania,” she emphasizes the importance of a woman’s autonomy in making decisions about her body, arguing against government intervention. “Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she stated. Melania further asserts that restricting a woman’s right to choose is tantamount to denying her control over her own life, a belief she claims to have held throughout her adulthood.
In a video message posted on X, Melania reiterated her position, advocating for individual freedom and questioning the meaning of the phrase “my body, my choice.”
Former President Donald Trump, who is campaigning for a second nonconsecutive term, commented on his wife’s views without explicitly endorsing or rejecting them. He mentioned that they discussed her writing, advising her to express her true beliefs.
Reactions from pro-life advocates have been primarily negative. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, noted that while her organization is focused on defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, they disagree with Melania’s view that abortive options should be expanded. Dannenfelser highlighted the need for resources for women facing unplanned pregnancies rather than increasing access to abortions.
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, criticized Melania’s perspective, stating the situation involves more than just the woman’s body, emphasizing the presence of another life. Hawkins accused Melania of advocating for a brand of feminism that is harmful to women.
Some members of the pro-life movement have voiced stronger criticisms, with Live Action President Lila Rose comparing Melania’s position on abortion to that of Harris and expressing disappointment with Donald Trump’s campaign’s direction on pro-life issues. Legal scholar Robert P. George suggested that Melania’s statements might be part of a broader campaign strategy to appeal to pro-abortion voters.
Amidst these discussions, Donald Trump has sought to navigate the abortion debate in his 2024 campaign, having appointed justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. He has expressed support for state-level abortion decisions while distancing his campaign from strict pro-life stances to maintain broader electoral appeal. Conversely, Harris supports federal legislation to legalize abortion nationally until viability, which occurs around 23 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.