Trump says he’s ‘thinking in terms of’ 15 weeks on possible abortion ban

Former President Trump hinted Tuesday that he is considering supporting a ban on abortions at 15 weeks, a potential landmark on an issue that excited Democrats after the conclusion of Roe v. Wade.

President Trump: “Maybe we can find time to unite the country on this issue.” said in WABC’s show “Sid & Friends in the Morning.”

“As far as the number of weeks, right now people agree on 15 weeks, and I’m thinking with that in mind, and it’s going to be very reasonable,” Trump added. “But people actually agree, even the hardliners, and people seem to agree with the 15-week number. But we will make an announcement at the appropriate time.”

Trump reiterated his support for exceptions to protect mothers’ lives and in cases of rape and incest, but criticized Democrats as “radical” on the issue. He also emphasized that extreme abortion bans are politically problematic.

“If we don’t win the election, we’re going to end up going back to where we started on this issue,” Trump added.

Over the past year, Republican presidential candidate Trump has repeatedly dodged questions about whether he would sign a national abortion ban if re-elected, instead seeking solutions that would unite the country around a highly divisive issue. He claimed to find it. The former president blamed the party’s overwhelmingly poor performance in the 2022 midterm elections on the party’s messaging on abortion.

At the same time, President Trump has repeatedly said he has a responsibility to end Roe v. Wade by appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices.

The New York Times reported earlier this month that President Trump told advisers and allies that he supports a 16-week ban on abortion, including rape, incest and maternal life exceptions. Democrats immediately used the report as evidence to push for a nationwide abortion ban if President Trump were re-elected.

Abortion has become an energizing issue for Democratic voters, with the Biden campaign repeatedly linking state-level restrictions on abortion to President Trump and the reversal of Roe v. Wade. The party channeled anger over abortion regulations into victories in Virginia’s legislative elections and last November’s Kentucky gubernatorial election.