Donald Trump became the first sitting president to address the anti-abortion "March for life" rally in Washington, D.C. After his remarks, the president quickly came under fire.
Trump at "March for Life"
Donald Trump's history with women often contradicts his current stance on issues dealing with faith. The former host of "The Apprentice" has a long and controversial history with behavior that doesn't fit with what many in the pro-life Evangelical Christian movement would approve of, but Trump has done his bet to appeal to those voters in his base.
On the issue of abortion, where Trump once declared himself pro-choice, he recently had a change of heart and is now in hard-line with those who continue to fight the issue. On Friday, Trump addressed rally-goers at the anti-choice, anti-abortion event titled the "March for Life," which is celebrating their 45th anniversary. While not attending the march in person, Trump delivered remarks from the White House which were broadcasted through a streaming service, a reported by Fox News on January 19.
At March for Life event, Pres. Trump claims Roe v. Wade resulted in some of the most "permissive abortion laws anywhere in the world," relating them to those in China and North Korea. https://t.co/StsSsc3tCu pic.twitter.com/fxCUuetUDQ
— ABC News (@ABC) January 19, 2018
At the White House on Friday afternoon, Donald Trump spoke to the "March for Life" rally in opposition to abortion.
Calling the rally a "movement born out of love," Trump praised those who have fought against a woman's right to have an abortion. "Roe v. Wade has resulted in some of the most permissive abortion laws anywhere in the world," he added.
.@POTUS: "Americans are more and more pro-life." #MarchforLife pic.twitter.com/6YK12fMkxk
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 19, 2018
"We are protecting the sanctity of life and the family as the foundation of our society," Donald Trump said, while also falsely claiming that "more and more Americans are becoming pro-life." According to a recent Pew Research poll, 57 percent of Americans support abortion being legal in all or most cases, compared to just 40 percent who want the practice banned.
Instant backlash
In response to Donald Trump's comments, his critics wasted no time in lashing out. "Who on earth would anyone believe him? You think he did his own poll? He doesn’t believe anyone but his fans. It’s just another lie. Most people support a woman having the right to her own body," one tweet read.
@POTUS could care less about abortion. He's probably paid for a few. He only cares about their vote. #WakeUp
— Blake Street Bums (@BlakeStBums) January 19, 2018
Americans are more and more anti @realDonaldTrump
— Lane (@_TheGreatOneHD) January 19, 2018
Trump called venereal disease his "personal Viet Nam" on The Howard Stern Show, which means he may have confronted the abortion issue on a personal level. Wonder how long those NDA's are gonna hold?
— Tam Livesay (@SeattleTam) January 19, 2018
"Wonder how many abortions he paid for thru LLC?" a Twitter user wondered.
"Stricter gun laws to show you’re seriously pro-life," a follow-up tweet stated. "@POTUS could care less about abortion. He's probably paid for a few. He only cares about their vote," another tweet noted.
Trump cultists don’t realize (like everything 45 says and does) he’s on record in the past inferring he encouraged a woman to get an abortion. 😂😂😂
— Way of the road (@Wayoftheroad88) January 19, 2018
Another lie. Another fiction. Another completely made up statement. Just like Trump’s dream that he has any kind of mandate from the American people when in reality he simply has the worst approval ratings ever. It is sad to watch and listen to the delusion.
— Marcus Janus (@MarcusJanus) January 19, 2018
Having unprotected sex with porn stars doesn't make you Pro-Life, Don the Con! #FakeChristian #FoxNewsIsTrumpTV
— katie kelly mack (@KatieKellyMack) January 19, 2018
"Another lie.
Another fiction. Another completely made up statement. Just like Trump’s dream that he has any kind of mandate from the American people when in reality he simply has the worst approval ratings ever. It is sad to watch and listen to the delusion," yet another tweet read. "Trump cultists don’t realize (like everything 45 says and does) he’s on record in the past inferring he encouraged a woman to get an abortion," a social media user pointed out.
