Former President Donald Trump made a controversial and false statement during the presidential debate on September 10, claiming that some states allow abortions even after a baby is born. The assertion was quickly corrected by ABC News moderator Linsey Davis.
Donald Trump Repeats Claim That Democrats Support 'After Birth' Abortion During Debate
During the debate, Trump repeated a claim he has made before, stating, "[Democrats] have abortion in the ninth month." He added that the "previous governor of West Virginia" had allegedly said that the state would "decide what to do with the baby" after birth. Trump continued, "In other words, we’ll execute the baby."
Davis wasted no time in addressing the false claim. She clarified for the audience, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born.”
This claim, often used by anti-abortion activists, has no legal or factual basis. It stems from a misinterpreted statement made by former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in 2019, which was taken out of context. Northam had been discussing a hypothetical situation involving a non-viable foetus, but anti-abortion activists twisted his words to support the idea of "after-birth abortions."
The Origins of Trump’s Misleading Assertion
Trump’s claim about abortion after birth has been debunked numerous times. It’s based on a quote from former Governor Northam that has been widely misinterpreted by anti-abortion groups. Northam was discussing what might happen if a pregnant person, whose foetus was not viable, requested an abortion while already in labour. The situation he described was a rare and tragic medical case, not a policy of allowing the killing of newborns.
Anti-abortion activists have used this misrepresentation to paint states with more liberal abortion laws as extreme. However, as Davis correctly pointed out, "There is no state where a baby can be legally killed after birth."
Kamala Harris Condemns Trump’s Remark
Vice President Kamala Harris, a strong advocate for reproductive rights, was quick to push back on Trump’s comments, calling his statements "insulting to the women of America." Harris has campaigned on protecting reproductive freedoms and has consistently criticised restrictive abortion laws.
Harris also shared emotional stories of women who have suffered due to these strict abortion laws, highlighting the real-life consequences of the policies Trump has supported. She stated that these laws have caused significant "physical and emotional pain" for many women.
During the debate, Trump praised the six conservative justices on the Supreme Court who played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade. He expressed his approval of returning abortion laws to the states, stating that this was the right decision for the country.
However, Trump avoided giving a clear stance on whether he would support a federal abortion ban. When asked directly, he sidestepped the question, offering no definitive answer. Additionally, Trump revealed he hadn’t discussed the possibility of vetoing such a ban with his running mate, JD Vance, despite Vance previously claiming Trump would veto a national abortion ban.
Who is Linsey Davis? The Moderator in the Debate
Linsey Davis, who moderated the debate, is a well-respected journalist and anchor for ABC News Live Prime and weekend World News Tonight. She is a two-time Emmy Award winner and a best-selling author. Davis’ journalistic background includes reporting for Good Morning America, 20/20, World News Tonight, and Nightline.
As a correspondent and anchor, Davis is known for her integrity and fact-based reporting. Her swift response to Trump’s misleading claim garnered her praise for her commitment to delivering accurate information to the public
Davis' fact-check sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Fox News host and former Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany criticised ABC, stating they should be "ashamed" and accusing the moderators of focussing solely on fact-checking Trump. Others weighed in, expressing that Davis showed bias throughout the debate. Watch more of the reactions.
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