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Fox News host Sean Hannity warned Republicans on Monday of the "political suicide" that could result from not supporting exceptions for anti-abortion laws, citing the issue for the lack of a "red wave" in the 2022 midterm elections.
The Context:
Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive 2024 GOP nominee for president, released a video on Monday morning on Truth Social touching on abortion, one of the most impactful issues heading into this year's general election. Trump's appointment of three conservative justices to the Supreme Court during his presidency is widely credited with leading to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, ending federal abortion protections and paving the way for a raft of new anti-abortion laws in various states.
While still keen to take credit for the end of Roe, as he did in the Monday video, he has also been noncommittal to this point on supporting a national abortion ban. The end of abortion rights has been credited for Republicans underperforming in many key elections, including the 2022 midterms, where the predicted "red wave" of GOP victories failed to materialize despite historical precedent.
In the video, Trump said that he opposed a national abortion ban and wanted the matter left to the states. He also pledged his support for key exceptions to any laws, including for rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at stake.
Newsweek reached out to President Joe Biden's campaign via email Monday morning for comment.
What We Know:
During a Monday morning appearance on Fox & Friends, Hannity stressed that not embracing such exceptions would be "political suicide" for Republicans, hailing Trump for doing so. He also credited the mishandling of abortion matters for the lack of a red wave in 2022.
"Any Republican who would ever take a position, and [Trump] was clear in his statement on this too... no exceptions for rape, incest, or the mother's life, that is political suicide," Hannity said. "If you are going to take that extreme position, you are going to lose votes... My opinion is the 'red wave' that many expected in '22 didn't happen because of this issue."
Hannity also urged any Republican running for office this year to be firm and clear in their rhetoric about abortion. In the past, he has issued similar warnings about the matter.
Views:
In response to Trump's video on Monday, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the leading anti-abortion advocacy group, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, told USA Today that "we are deeply disappointed in President Trump's position," arguing that letting states decide the matter "cedes the national debate to the Democrats."
A spokesperson for Biden's 2024 campaign also spoke out in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
"Donald Trump is endorsing every single abortion ban in the states, including abortion bans with no exceptions," spokesman Ammar Moussa wrote. "And he's bragging about his role in creating this hellscape."
What's Next?
Trump and Biden will likely face off in the November general election, a rematch of the 2020 presidential race. Recent polls have shown Biden gaining ground against his rival, with abortion matters potentially driving voters away from Trump.
Update 4/8/24, 10:23 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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About the writer
Thomas Kika is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in upstate New York. His focus is reporting on crime and national ... Read more