JD Vance Addresses Planned Parenthood Controversy

Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, expressed support for defunding Planned Parenthood, particularly opposing taxpayer funding for late-term abortions. He reiterated that this stance aligns with former President Donald Trump's consistent view on the issue, which has been a focal point of their campaign. Despite the portrayal by Trump and Vance of a potential federal ban on abortion, statistics show that late-term abortions are rare, with 93.5% occurring at or before 13 weeks of gestation, according to CDC data. Critics, including Vice President Kamala Harris's spokesperson Lauren Hitt, condemned Vance's remarks as a threat to women's rights, asserting that a Trump presidency would jeopardize access to reproductive healthcare. Meanwhile, Trump has attempted to soften his stance by claiming he would veto any federal abortion ban, despite his base's support for such legislation. Additionally, Melania Trump's upcoming memoir hints at a more liberal stance on abortion rights, further complicating the narrative within the Trump campaign.