In a rare moment of journalistic integrity, CNN anchor John Berman fact-checked Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer during an interview marking the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Whitmer, a staunch critic of former President Donald Trump, made the audacious claim that Trump is pushing for a national abortion ban, a narrative she has been aggressively promoting in her campaign efforts for Joe Biden.
Whitmer’s accusation is as follows: “He [Trump] appointed three justices to the Supreme Court who went into Congress and lied,” she said. “They said that Roe was the settled law of the land. They betrayed that oath that they took when they went into office. And we would not be in this moment but for Donald Trump.” She asserts that Trump is “absolutely front and center on the road to an all-out national abortion ban” and urges voters to support Biden to protect these so-called fundamental rights.
But wait—didn’t Trump make it clear that he wants to leave the abortion issue up to the states? Yes, he did. Berman, in a surprising move for CNN, corrected Whitmer by pointing out the inconsistency in her portrayal of Trump’s stance. “He says he’s not on the road to an all-out federal abortion ban because he said he wants to leave it up to the states,” Berman clarified. This on-air correction comes as a stark reminder of the importance of factual reporting, especially on such a divisive and emotional subject.
Trump’s position has been consistent and clear: he believes that the decision should be left to the states. In a video statement released in April 2024, Trump emphasized, “The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land.” He painted the Democrats as “radical” on the issue, highlighting the diversity of opinions and policies that would emerge from different states.
Abortion has been a contentious issue for the GOP, galvanizing pro-life activists and leading to the historic 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Since then, Trump has criticized other Republicans for speaking inaccurately about the issue, potentially costing the GOP winnable races in conservative strongholds like Kansas and Ohio. His message has been clear: follow your heart and let the states decide.
Whitmer’s continued falsehoods about Trump’s stance on abortion are not just misleading—they’re a deliberate attempt to manipulate public opinion. Her claims are part of a broader strategy to demonize Trump and galvanize support for Biden. Yet, the truth remains: Trump has consistently advocated for state-level decision-making on abortion, respecting the will of the people in each state.
As the 2024 election approaches, expect more of these politically motivated distortions. But thanks to moments of clarity from journalists like Berman, the truth occasionally breaks through the fog of partisan rhetoric. The battle over abortion is far from over, but one thing is certain: misinformation must be challenged, no matter where it comes from.
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