CNN host Jim Acosta sat down with Republican strategist and former aide to President Trump Brian Lanza on Wednesday to debate the former president and nationwide abortion bans.
“Trump called his answer on abortion 'perfect,' but when pressed by the host about whether he would veto a nationwide abortion ban, he refused to answer,” Acosta said on “CNN Newsroom.”
“I think he has said in the past that he won't sign for the national team. [abortion] “We need a ban. I think J.D. Vance would say that,” Lanza responded, referring to Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, Trump's running mate. “I think what he said last night is, why do we…”
Acosta interjected, saying the former president “never said he would veto it.”
“I was answering a question, Jim. [thank you for giving] “They gave me an opportunity,” Lanza replied.
The two continued to go back and forth, with Acosta staying silent for a while while Lanza spoke, before speaking again.
“This isn't C-SPAN, Brian … I can't go on forever asking why he didn't say whether he would veto it or not when I asked the question,” Acosta said.
During his presidential debate with Vice President Harris on Tuesday, President Trump refused to commit to vetoing a nationwide abortion ban. When asked if he would veto a ban, President Trump suggested Congress would not need to pass one.
“I don't support banning abortion, but that doesn't matter, because the states have now taken over this issue,” Trump said. “We don't have to do that.”
Harris criticized Trump over differing abortion laws across the US
“The government, and certainly Donald Trump, should not be telling women what to do with their bodies,” Harris said.
The Hill has reached out to Lanza's employer, Mercury Public Affairs, for comment.
