Trump responds to abortion criticisms, says GOP must ‘learn to talk about abortion’

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Former President Donald Trump reiterated that Republicans must shift their approach to abortion as a national issue.

“Like Ronald Reagan before me, I believe in the three exceptions for Rape, Incest, and the Life of the Mother,” Trump said. “Without the exceptions, it is very difficult to win Elections, we would probably lose the Majorities in 2024, and perhaps the Presidency itself, but you must follow your HEART!”

“In order to win in 2024, Republicans must learn how to talk about Abortion. This issue cost us unnecessarily, but dearly, in the Midterms,” Trump continued.

Trump pointed to the ending of Roe v. Wade via his appointed Supreme Court justices.

“For 52 years, people talked, spent vast amounts of money, but couldn’t get the job done,” he said. “I got the job done! Thanks to the three great Supreme Court Justices I appointed, this issue has been returned to the States, where all Legal Scholars, on both sides, felt it should be.”

“Now the Pro Life Community has TREMENDOUS NEGOTIATING POWER,” he said.

Trump faced criticism from some conservatives over recently saying abortion laws that ban the practice after time periods like six weeks constitute a “terrible mistake.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign said the governor will “NEVER sell out conservatives to win praise from corporate media or the Left.”

The former president floated abortion restrictions after 15 weeks as a potential number for a large swath of the public to support, but said instances like Florida’s six-week ban are a “terrible thing.”

“I think what [Gov. Ron DeSantis] did was a terrible thing, a terrible mistake,” Trump said.

The former president warned that many Republicans speak “inarticulately” about the issue of abortion and warned those who push very strict laws are “not going to win” unless they’re in certain parts of the U.S.

“You will win on this issue when you come up with the right number of weeks,” he said.

Speaking with NBC News, Trump was asked if he would sign a federal abortion ban at 15 weeks.

“People are starting to think of 15 weeks,” Trump said. “I would sit down with both sides, and I’d negotiate something, and we’ll end up with peace on that issue.”

“I’m not gonna say I would or I wouldn’t,” he said. “We’ll come up with a number. But at the same time, Democrats won’t be able to [allow an abortion at] six months, seven months, eight months.”

Asked if the federal government should involve itself in abortions or leave it to the states, he said, “I don’t frankly care,” arguing it’s more important the issue gets resolved in any way “both sides” can agree to.

Trump clarified that it’s “probably better” that abortion is a state issue, but said he can “live with it either way.”

“The number of weeks is much more important,” Trump said.

“I have exceptions. I think people should have exceptions,” the former president continued. “If it’s rape, or incest, or life of the mother – I think you have to have exceptions.”

Speaking to how he believes Democrats will come to the negotiating table on abortion, Trump said many of them already “don’t want to be radical on the issue.”

“They don’t want to kill a baby in the seventh month, or the ninth month, or after birth.”

The former president’s abortion remarks come as Trump posts a aggregated national polling lead over President Joe Biden, reaching an all-time high level of support in rematch polling against Biden.