Donald Trump put himself at the centre of yet another massive row last night, this time on the issue of abortion.
In an interview with MSNBC, the Republican presidential contender said he believed women who have abortions should face “some form of punishment”, if the practice were to become illegal across the US.
Democratic presidential frontrunner Hilary Clinton was quick to pounce on Trump’s comments.
We can’t let someone with this much contempt for women’s rights anywhere near the White House.https://t.co/OjU9gRwsxo
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 30, 2016
Even by his impossibly low standards, @realDonaldTrump's suggestion that women be punished for seeking abortion is abhorrent.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 30, 2016
Clinton’s rival for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders, also slammed Trump, calling him “shameful”.
Your Republican frontrunner, ladies and gentlemen. Shameful. https://t.co/y49Z8YfRgV
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 30, 2016
Trump’s closest Republican rival Ted Cruz, an avowed pro-lifer, is reported in the FT to have said:
“Once again Donald Trump has demonstrated that he hasn’t seriously thought through the issues, and he’ll say anything just to get attention.”
Planned Parenthood went as far as to say that Trump is now “inciting violence against women”.
To be clear, @realDonaldTrump is now inciting violence against women for making a decision that's theirs to make. https://t.co/Yjwj7g5J4X
— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) March 30, 2016
Last night, Trump quickly started to back-pedal on his contentious view. In a statement, he called himself “pro-life with exceptions”.
But in 2013, Trump said in an interview with Howard Stern that when it comes to abortion:
“Somebody asks me, and I say pro-life, but it’s never been an issue that really has been discussed with me in great detail.”
This already looks like it will be further ammo in Hillary Clinton’s arsenal, as she launches campaign ads aimed squarely at Trump and his controversial views.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmzc0hvB-oY
