CNN —
Former first lady Melania Trump says in a new video posted Thursday, after The Guardian reported excerpts from her upcoming book that she supports abortion, when it comes to women’s “individual freedoms.” He said he believed there was “no room for compromise.” The right to be “free from government interference or pressure.”
“Personal freedom is a fundamental principle that I uphold. There is no question, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this important right that every woman is born with: personal freedom. My body, my What does choice really mean?” the former first lady said in a video posted to X.
Her advocacy for abortion rights will put her at odds with her husband’s position about a month after Election Day. Donald Trump regularly takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade. The case eliminated federal protections for abortion and led states, primarily Republican-led states, to enact strict restrictions on the procedure. But the former president said he would veto the federal abortion ban if re-elected and said the issue should be left to individual states to legislate.
Melania Trump has remained largely absent from the campaign trail amid her husband’s third run for the White House, releasing several videos on social media in recent weeks to promote his book, which is scheduled to be released next week. Other than what he did, he maintains a low profile. . A video posted by the former first lady on Thursday includes a link to pre-order her book.
According to the Guardian, the former first lady wrote in her book: Women have a fundamental right to personal freedom over their own lives and the right to terminate a pregnancy if they wish. ”
Meanwhile, the former president wavered on abortion rights during his campaign and has at times struggled to navigate the politically fractious issue for Republicans in the post-law era. He recently said he would not, just 24 hours after suggesting he would not support a ballot measure to expand access to abortion in his home state of Florida. He also set out to position himself as a “protector” of women, claiming that if he were elected, American women would no longer “think about abortion.”
The former president has boasted of appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices who voted with a majority to overturn Roe, but the issue does not represent a victory for Republicans seeking a strict ban. He has publicly acknowledged that he did not, and has emphasized his support for Mr. Low. However, there are exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and cases where the mother’s life is in danger.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats have pointed to President Trump’s high court picks, which have partially enabled state-level restrictions, putting them at the center of appeals to women in key states. We are focusing on stopping abortions. Harris enjoys a clear advantage on this issue, which has helped her lead among women voters nationally and in battleground states.
Melania Trump is not the first former Republican first lady to express support for abortion rights. Laura Bush, wife of former President George W. Bush, said she doesn’t believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned before her husband takes office. She later said in an interview with CNN in 2010 after her husband left office that she supported abortion remaining legal. Her mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, wife of former President George H.W. Bush, opposed the inclusion of abortion in the 1992 Republican Party platform, calling it a “personal matter.”
This article and heading have been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.
