Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said that after learning about the rate of late-term elective abortions, he was determined to change his position on the issue.
President Kennedy reflected on the evolution of his position on abortion on Tuesday in an interview with comedians Shane Gillis and Matt McCusker, after the president praised his willingness to change his platform based on new information. .
President Kennedy told the comedians: “No amount of badmouthing, criticizing, marginalizing or slandering me will change my mind.” “But I can always change my mind based on the facts. If you […] Please tell me that one of my guesses is wrong. I’m going to change my mind. And that’s what happened with the abortion issue. ”
RFK JR. Says he supports abortion ‘even at term’
Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits “Fox & Friends” at the Fox News Channel studios in New York City. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
“My position on abortion has always been that it should always be the woman’s choice,” Kennedy continued. “Nine months old is basically killing a child, right? My guess is. […] No woman would carry a child for nine months and intentionally abort it two days before it is born. Who would do that? ”
President Kennedy said that after examining the data on late-term abortions and reflecting on the government’s role in protecting humanity, he began to question his own beliefs on the issue.
“But then I learned that I was wrong, that elective abortions were actually relatively huge at the time,” the independent candidate continued. “My belief at that point is that you have a fully formed, viable child at that point, and the state has some interest in protecting that baby.”
President Kennedy cited his “Irish Catholic” background and said his family was “divided” over the issue of abortion.
Biden does not support ‘full-term’ abortion position promoted by RFK JR, campaign says
Comedians Shane Gillis (left) and Matt McCusker (right) host RFK Jr. on the latest episode of the Matt & Shane Secret Podcast. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Bob Woodruff Foundation/Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
“My family is divided on this: the right to life and the right to choose. I have always believed that. […] “I’m this country’s leading advocate for health autonomy and freedom of choice. I think women should always have a choice, but in this case, if it’s a fully formed baby,” Kennedy said. “The country has a certain interest in protecting their lives.” ”
Kennedy’s change in position came after an appearance on the show last week.sage steele showThe independent candidate clashed with Steele over late-term abortions, arguing that they are extremely rare and that there are usually “extenuating circumstances” behind the decision.
President Biden’s campaign has aggressively pushed a pro-choice platform for the 2024 election, but has distanced itself from President Kennedy’s “term in office” rhetoric.
“No, the president has made clear many times that he does not support full-term abortion. He believes Mr. Roe was correct,” said Lauren Hitt, a senior campaign spokeswoman. Ta.
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Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a campaign event in Philadelphia.
After initial outreach to the Biden campaign, Fox News Digital received a statement on the matter from a Democratic National Committee (DNC) spokesperson claiming that Kennedy “cannot be trusted to stand up for reproductive freedom.” .
President Kennedy’s platform on abortion has been shaky for some time, with NBC News reporting last year that Kennedy supported limiting abortions to 15 or 21 weeks of pregnancy.His campaign later clarified his position, He said in a statement that he had misunderstood the question, saying: “He does not support laws banning abortion.”
The Kennedy campaign has not yet articulated a consistent position on the point in pregnancy that exceeds the threshold of unacceptable abortion.
