Trump says he told Melania to 'write what you believe' in book that reveals her pro-choice stance on abortion
Former first lady Melania Trump stunned everyone when she revealed in her forthcoming memoir that she is firmly pro-choice and supports abortion rights, a stance that seemingly places her at odds with the large swath of pro-life individuals in the Republican Party.
Former President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter about what his wife wrote in her book, said he told her only to "write what you believe" and "go with your heart" on the controversial issue, according to The Hill.
The surprising development has also served to upend the Democrat's false narrative on the GOP nominee and their unfounded and debunked claims that he would impose a nationwide ban on abortion procedures if re-elected.
Melania reveals pro-choice stance on abortion
The Guardian, which obtained an advance copy of the former first lady's eponymous memoir, reported that she wrote at length about her belief in a woman's right to choose whether or not to carry or terminate a pregnancy, which stems from her belief that "we are all born with a set of fundamental rights, including the right to enjoy our lives. We are all entitled to maintain a gratifying and dignified existence."
"This common-sense approach applies to a woman’s natural right to make decisions about her own body and health," she wrote and noted that there was "no room for negotiation" on matters related to "individual liberty" and "personal freedom."
"It is imperative to guarantee that women have autonomy in deciding their preference of having children, based on their own convictions, free from any intervention or pressure from the government," Melania asserted. "Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes."
"Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body," she added. "I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life."
Yet, at another point, the former first lady signaled that she was not opposed to those with pro-life beliefs, and wrote, "The slogan 'My Body, My Choice' is typically associated with women activists and those who align with the pro-choice side of the debate. But if you really think about it, 'My Body, My Choice' applies to both sides -- a woman’s right to make an independent decision involving her own body, including the right to choose life. Personal freedom."
Trump told Melania to "write what you believe" about abortion
The revelation of the former first lady's pro-choice stance unsurprisingly caused an uproar on both sides of the issue, and USA Today reported that former President Trump was questioned about what his wife wrote by a Fox News reporter on the campaign trail.
"We spoke about it," Trump replied. "And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe."
He added of Melania, "She’s very beloved. People love our former first lady, I can tell you that. But I said you have to stick with your heart. I’ve said that to everybody, you have to go with your heart."
Trump reiterates his belief in states' rights on abortion
This sudden revelation strikes at the heart of Democratic claims that former President Trump, if re-elected, would seek to impose a national ban on all abortions -- an unsupported claim that is directly countered by everything Trump has ever said on the issue since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in 2022 that returned to states the right to regulate abortions as they each saw fit.
Trump reiterated his position in a Truth Social post on Tuesday and wrote in all caps, "Everyone knows I would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances, and would, in fact, veto it, because it is up to the states to decide based on the will of their voters (the will of the people!)."
"Like Ronald Reagan before me, I fully support the three exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother," he added. "I do not support the Democrats radical position of late-term abortion like, as an example, in the 7th, 8th, or 9th month or, in case there is any question, the possibility of execution of the baby after birth."