Fox News host Howard Kurtz took the initiative to fact-check former President Donald Trump on Sunday, after an interview where Trump reiterated a false claim about abortion.
During an interview with Trump, who is now the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, Kurtz asked if he would support a nationwide abortion ban after 16 weeks of pregnancy. Trump has reportedly supported this proposal in private but declined to commit to it publicly.
Trump responded by highlighting the significant role played by the three conservative justices he appointed to the Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. He emphasized their contribution in overturning the landmark case of Roe v. Wade in 2022 and thereby eliminating the federal abortion protections it had established. Additionally, Trump reiterated his previous assertions, alleging that his Democratic rivals endorse abortions “after the baby is born.” To support his claim, he referred to statements made by former Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
“When a mother is in labor, I can accurately describe the course of events,” Northam stated during a radio interview. “The baby would be delivered, and every effort would be made to ensure the baby’s comfort. If the mother and the family desire, the baby would be resuscitated. Following this, a conversation would take place between the doctors and the mother.”
The clip, however, omitted an important clarification made by Northam. He explained that the proposed action would only be applicable in cases involving a severely deformed and nonviable fetus, or in situations where the infant is stillborn or facing imminent death.
In the aftermath of the interview, Kurtz addressed Trump’s erroneous assertions concerning abortion, which have been widely disputed and discredited. It is important to note that no legislators endorse the notion of terminating a newborn child, as it contradicts the principles underlying the medical practice of abortion. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that late-term abortions, particularly those occurring in the third trimester, are extremely uncommon, despite being frequently invoked by those opposed to abortion. Such procedures are typically undertaken in rare and distressing circumstances involving severe fetal abnormalities, non-viable fetuses, or threats to the mother’s well-being.
Kurtz also pointed out that Northam subsequently clarified his remarks.
According to Kurtz, former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam did state that when it comes to late-term abortions, the decision on what to do in cases of severe deformity or non-viable fetus would be made by the mother and doctors after the baby is born. However, he later clarified his statement, with a spokesperson emphasizing that he was not referring to killing babies but rather addressing extremely rare and tragic situations. In fact, a CDC survey reveals that fewer than 1 percent of all abortions occur at or after seven months of pregnancy.
Newsweek emailed Trump’s office on Sunday afternoon to request a comment.
What the Polls Show
A recent Gallup poll in 2023 revealed that 34 percent of Americans support the legality of abortions under any circumstances. A majority, comprising 51 percent, believed that it should be legal under certain circumstances. However, a mere 13 percent of respondents expressed the view that abortions should be illegal in all circumstances.
According to Gallup data, the percentage of Republicans who believed abortion should be illegal in all circumstances decreased from 15 percent in 2021 to 8 percent in 2023. A majority of 66 percent of GOP voters held the belief that abortion should be legal under certain circumstances, while 24 percent believed it should be legal in all circumstances.
