Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke about her struggles to conceive during a town hall with former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin. Gabbard, who has recently endorsed Mr. Trump, said she and her husband tried for years to have children but were unsuccessful and sought out in vitro fertilization (IVF). The former Congresswoman explained that IVF took its toll on the couple, as well as their bank balance, but in the end, she still did not conceive. However, Gabbard noted that while it did not work for her, it has helped thousands of American families, and she hoped it would help many more.
The Trump campaign has come under fire as a potential threat to reproductive rights, including access to IVF, but the former President sought to reassure voters that he would protect it. Questioned about his views by Gabbard, Trump cited a controversial Alabama ruling that declared frozen embryos had the same rights as children and said he wholly opposed the decision. Mr. Trump also said he would investigate the possibility of free IVF treatment if he is re-elected in November. “We want babies in this country,” he said.
Commentators suggest that Mr. Trump is attempting to win back women voters alienated by his abortion stance and controversies spurred by running mate JD Vance. Regarding Florida’s six-week abortion ban, Trump – who lives in the Sunshine State – said he believes the time limit is too short, prompting some analysts to note that his view may alienate some pro-life groups as he attempts to tread a fine line between the two sides.
Trump’s running mate Vance was pressured into explaining his views on reproductive rights after voting against Senate efforts to secure IVF access. In a July interview, however, he insisted he supports IVF because he believes “babies are good, families are good.”
Vance faced significant backlash when recordings emerged from past interviews in which he described senior Democrats as “childless cat ladies.” Separate audio footage revealed him agreeing that the “purpose” of post-menopausal women was to care for grandchildren. In a third interview, he accused American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten of “brainwashing” children, even though she has none of her own. Weingarten is married with two stepchildren.
