HED: The presidential debate was an abortion warzone and here’s every explosive detail
DEK: Harris and Trump faced off in a fierce clash that left reproductive rights hanging in the balance.
In a critical juncture of the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off in their first—and potentially only—debate before Election Day. The debate, hosted by ABC News, saw the contentious issue of abortion access take center stage, starkly illuminating the candidates’ contrasting positions on reproductive rights.
With 10 states set to vote on abortion rights on November 5, the issue has taken on unprecedented urgency. Vice President Harris has made reproductive rights a cornerstone of her campaign, aligning herself with the majority of Americans who, according to numerous polls, largely support access to abortion.
Against this backdrop, Harris wasted no time in attacking Trump’s record on abortion, directly linking him to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“Let’s understand how we got here,” Harris declared. “Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade. And they did exactly as he intended.”
The vice president painted a vivid picture of the consequences of Trump’s actions, describing scenarios of women being denied care during miscarriages and young rape survivors forced to carry pregnancies to term. “That is immoral,” Harris said. “One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government, and Donald Trump certainly, should not be telling a woman what to do with her body.”
Trump, for his part, seemed to struggle with articulating a clear position on abortion. When pressed by moderator Linsey Davis on whether he would veto a national abortion ban if it came to his desk, the former president deflected, refusing to give a direct answer. “Well, I won’t have to,” Trump began, before pivoting to criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of student loans.
The debate took a controversial turn when Trump repeated falsehoods about abortion practices, claiming that abortions take place in the ninth month of pregnancy and even after birth. Fact-checkers swiftly corrected these statements, noting that fewer than 1% of abortions are performed past 21 weeks, usually in cases of medical emergencies or severe fetal anomalies. They also emphasized that infanticide is illegal in all 50 states.
The exchange highlighted a key strategy difference between the two campaigns. While Harris made a forceful pledge to sign legislation restoring Roe v. Wade protections if elected, Trump repeatedly insisted that the issue should be left to individual states. “Now you have a vote of the people on abortion,” Trump stated, echoing a sentiment that has become a common refrain among Republican politicians.
However, reproductive rights advocates were quick to challenge this framing.
“The idea that all state legislatures are carrying out the will of people in their states needs a reality check,” said Jennifer Driver, senior director of Reproductive Rights at SiX Action. “While the majority of Americans across the political spectrum support abortion access, we have seen anti-abortion politicians in state legislatures bypass their constituents and impose their beliefs instead.”
The debate also saw Trump repeat several false claims about abortion practices, including the debunked assertion that some states allow abortions “after birth.” Fact-checkers swiftly pointed out that infanticide is criminalized in every state, and no such laws exist.
Nourbese Flint, president of All* In Action Fund, praised Harris’ performance, stating, “Tonight, Vice President Kamala Harris displayed the fierce leadership and dedication to protecting our freedoms that make us proud to endorse her for President. She was clear and firm in her stance on access to abortion care and unflinching in her defense of our freedoms in the face of Donald Trump’s lies and dangerous rhetoric.”
As the debate concluded, it was clear that abortion rights will remain a central issue in the 2024 campaign. Recent polling from the Wall Street Journal shows support for abortion access at a new high, with 64% of voters saying abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
With less than two months until Election Day, both campaigns are expected to continue emphasizing their positions on reproductive rights. As voters consider their options, they face contrasting approaches to abortion policy. Harris has committed to protecting abortion access and codifying Roe v. Wade if elected. Trump, who appointed three Supreme Court justices instrumental in overturning Roe v. Wade, has advocated for state-level decision-making on abortion laws but has not specified his stance on potential national legislation.
