Trump Claims to Be the “Father of IVF” in Bid to Appeal to Female Voters
Brendan McDermid | Reuters
As Election Day approaches, Donald Trump is making efforts to win over female voters by addressing reproductive health issues, particularly in-vitro fertilization (IVF). At a recent all-women town hall in Georgia, a key swing state, Trump made the bold claim that he is the “father of IVF” and that the Republican Party is the true champion of the procedure.
The discussion began when a moderator asked Trump about infertility treatments. Trump responded, “I’m the father of IVF, so I want to hear this question.” He continued by asserting that Republicans support IVF more than Democrats, saying, As reported by the Mirror, “We want fertilization, and it’s all the way, and the Democrats tried to attack us on it. We’re out there on IVF, even more than them. So, we’re totally in favor.”
Trump credited Senator Katie Britt for educating him on the issue, specifically mentioning her introduction of the IVF Protection Act. “Within about two minutes, I understood we’re totally in favor of IVF. I came out with a statement within an hour, a really powerful statement with some experts, really powerful,” Trump said. He went on to assert, “We really are the party for IVF.”
Trump’s comments have sparked significant criticism. Vice President Kamala Harris quickly responded on X (formerly Twitter), questioning his remarks. “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,” Harris wrote. She accused Trump of harming women’s rights, adding, “He should take responsibility for the fact that 1 in 3 women in America lives in a Trump abortion ban state.”
Harris also highlighted how judicial changes under Trump, particularly the appointment of conservative judges, contributed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This decision has raised concerns among reproductive rights advocates about the future of fertility treatments like IVF.
In defense of Trump, campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed the criticism, suggesting that his comments were meant to be lighthearted. Leavitt emphasized that Trump strongly supports broad access to fertility treatments for women and families, as reported by NBC News. Despite this defense, Trump’s claim to be the “father of IVF” has drawn significant backlash, especially given his inconsistent views on abortion and reproductive rights.
Democrats, including Harris, warn that a second Trump term could further threaten reproductive rights, including access to IVF. Trump’s mixed messages on these issues have raised concerns among advocates who fear that his policies could make fertility treatments harder to access for many women.
As Trump works to bridge the gender gap in pre-election polls, he continues to face an uphill battle with female voters. Despite his efforts, a majority of women continue to support Vice President Harris, as noted in a USA Today report. While Trump is attempting to soften his image on reproductive issues, his past actions and policies remain a significant hurdle in securing the support of women voters.
