Fact-checkers disputed her statement.
Vice President Kamala Harris made a statement on Sunday X that falsely claimed former President Donald Trump intended to implement a national abortion ban following his debate with Joe Biden. Harris asserted, “Donald Trump would ban abortion nationwide,” and pledged to oppose such efforts alongside President Biden to protect women’s reproductive rights. A note accompanying her post referenced multiple media sources that reported Trump’s stance on abortion, linking to articles supporting her claim. However, Elon Musk, owner of X, contradicted Harris’s assertion with a tweet, pointing out that Trump explicitly stated during the debate that he would not pursue a national abortion ban.
Trump has consistently advocated for leaving abortion policy to individual states and has stated he would not endorse federal legislation restricting abortion to specific stages of pregnancy. He has also expressed support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother’s life.
Harris has been vocal about her opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2022 to return abortion regulation authority to the states, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Throughout her career, she has been a staunch advocate for abortion rights. Earlier this year, her decision to visit a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Minnesota drew criticism from pro-life advocates who suggested she should have visited a pro-life pregnancy center instead.
During their debate, Biden and Trump discussed various political issues, including immigration, foreign policy, and abortion. Trump defended his position on abortion, emphasizing state autonomy and criticizing Democratic positions as extreme, including alleged support for late-term abortions and policies after birth. Biden countered, affirming his support for Roe v. Wade and arguing against allowing states to dictate abortion laws independently.
In summary, Harris’s claim regarding Trump’s intentions on a national abortion ban contradicts Trump’s stated positions and has been disputed by sources familiar with the debate.
