President Donald J. Trump had a testy exchange with “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker. The segment started with Trump saying that for 52 years Americans wanted the issue returned to the states. He took credit for Roe v. Wade being overturned, allowing pro-lifers to “negotiate” on the issue.
He said the “radical” people on the issue are the Democrats who say after five, six, seven, eight months — and even after birth — babies are allowed to be terminated. The host cut him off claiming Democrats aren’t saying that.
Trump said the issue is “polarizing.” He predicted people would come together on the issue and determine the timeline for abortions.
“I’m going to come together with all groups and we’re going to have something that’s acceptable,” Trump said. “I think both sides are going to like me.”
A number of weeks or months has to make people happy, Trump said. He was asked if he’d sign a federal ban on abortions at 15 weeks.
“Well, people, people are starting to think of 15 weeks, that seems to be a number that people are talking about right now,” Trump said. “I would sit down with both sides and I would negotiate something and we’ll end up with peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years. I’m not going to say I would or I wouldn’t.”
Trump then criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing his state’s Heartbeat Bill.
“I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake,” Trump said.
He said he could “live with it” either way if the issue is decided at the state or federal level. Trump championed exceptions to the right to life for unborn babies who are conceived in rape or incest or in instances when the life of the mother is in jeopardy.
NEW: Trump says he will compromise with Democrats on abortion so that they’re nice to him: “Both sides are going to like me.”
Then he says it’s “a terrible thing” babies with heartbeats are protected in Iowa, Florida, and South Carolina.@RonDeSantis will NEVER sell out… pic.twitter.com/8c5zpGhVjW
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) September 17, 2023
