Governor DeSantis Questions Trump’s Commitment To Pro-Life Movement

In a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed concerns over former President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion. DeSantis, a prominent Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential race, believes that Trump has softened his position on this critical issue.

WATCH: Gov DeSantis says Trump has gone SOFT on abortion https://t.co/8IwckWgpnm pic.twitter.com/WNgsGHk98n

— The Right Scoop (@TheRightScoop) June 16, 2023

During the interview, David Brody from CBN News asked Governor DeSantis about his message to Evangelicals, who had strongly supported Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Brody pointed out that some Evangelicals might still prefer Trump as their candidate, given his success with their community. DeSantis, however, outlined his own credentials and explained why he should be the preferred choice.

“We were able to win Florida by 20 points, I had a record percentage of Evangelicals here in Florida, but I also had a record with Hispanics and a record for a Republican with women voters, and that’s with bold colors, not with pale pastels, we led. So, I think that that’s important, because if Biden gets in again, the left is going to absolutely destroy this country even more than it is now,” he stated.

Continuing his argument, DeSantis asserted that while many Republicans make promises, he is one of the few who actually delivers on those promises. He mentioned the significant victory of passing the heartbeat bill in Florida, a crucial piece of pro-life legislation. 

This was the point where he brought former President Trump into the conversation, as he pointed out that his competitor in the GOP presidential primaries opposed the bill, considering it “harsh” to protect unborn children when a detectable heartbeat is present.

Pressing further on this matter, Brody asked if DeSantis believed that Trump had softened his stance on abortion. Governor DeSantis replied affirmatively, expressing his surprise at Trump’s lack of support for the heartbeat bill in Florida. 

“I think so. I was really surprised, because he’s a Florida resident. And I thought he would compliment the fact that we were able to do the heartbeat bill, which pro-lifers have wanted for a long time. He never complimented, never said anything about it. Then, he was asked about it and he said it was ‘harsh,’” he stated.

Just last month, in an interview with The Messenger, former President Trump criticized the six-week ban on abortion, which Governor DeSantis had signed into law. Trump pointed out that “many people within the pro-life movement feel that that was too harsh” and suggested that Governor DeSantis might not have fully understood its implications. 

DeSantis’ claims that Trump grew soft on abortion issues would predictably not go down well with Trump who maintains that he got rid of Roe v Wade, leading to the establishment of states’ rights to restrict abortions after a certain point in pregnancy.

“Without me there would be no 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks, or whatever is finally agreed to. Without me the pro Life movement would have just kept losing. Thank you President TRUMP!!!” Trump declared on his social media platform Truth last month.