Former President Donald Trump has sparked debate within the Republican Party and drawn criticism from Democrats with his recent statements on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and abortion rights.
During a Fox News town hall event, Trump declared himself the “father of IVF” and expressed support for making the fertility treatment more accessible and affordable.
“We really are the party for IVF,” Trump told Fox News host Harris Faulkner in front of an all-female audience. He went on to state, “I’m the father of IVF.”
Trump’s campaign has proposed either having the government fund IVF treatments or mandating insurance companies cover the costs. This stance puts him at odds with some anti-abortion advocates within the Republican Party who oppose certain aspects of the IVF process, particularly the disposal of unused embryos.
Trump’s position on IVF has evolved as he navigates the complex political landscape surrounding reproductive rights. While he has previously taken credit for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, he has recently criticized some restrictive state laws, such as Florida’s six-week abortion ban.
Trump’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from his political opponents, including Vice President Kamala Harris. The Harris campaign accused Trump of being the “architect of this entire crisis” regarding threats to fertility treatments. Harris stated, “Donald Trump called himself ‘the father of IVF.’ What is he talking about? His abortion bans have already jeopardized access to it in states across the country—and his own platform could end IVF altogether.”
The issue of IVF access has become a focal point in the 2024 presidential race, with both parties staking out positions. Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to protect IVF access nationally, but Senate Republicans have repeatedly blocked these efforts. Vice President Harris and other Democrats have accused Republicans of opposing access to IVF and reproductive freedoms more broadly.
The Republican National Committee’s 2024 platform presents a complex stance on reproductive rights. While it does not call for a federal ban on abortion, it supports states establishing fetal personhood through the 14th Amendment, which could effectively prohibit abortion at all stages of pregnancy. The platform also states that the party will “oppose Late Term Abortion” while “supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF.” However, it does not explain how the party plans to support IVF while also backing fetal personhood policies that could render it illegal.
The debate over IVF and abortion rights has created tension within the Republican Party. Some conservatives, including Christian commentator Terri Green, have expressed concerns about Trump’s support for IVF. Green stated on social media platform X that Trump’s stance is “wrongheaded thinking” and that saying “we want more babies” is “perverted.”
Meanwhile, Democrats have sought to capitalize on the issue. The White House released a statement from Vice President Harris criticizing Senate Republicans for blocking nationwide protections for IVF. Harris said, “Congressional Republicans’ repeated refusal to protect access to IVF is not an isolated incident. Extremist so-called leaders have launched a full-on attack against reproductive freedom across our country.”
As the 2024 election approaches, the debate over reproductive rights, including access to IVF and abortion, continues to be a divisive and central issue. Both Trump and Harris have staked out positions that will likely play a significant role in their campaigns and could influence voter decisions at the polls.
