If Donald Trump was aiming to further alienate millions of women in order to remain the most extreme candidate in the GOP primary, he hit his mark yesterday by calling for women who have abortions to face “some form of punishment.” His comments were not only “way outside the mainstream,” they were downright offensive and threaten the safety of women across the country simply for making their own health care decisions.
Trump tried to walk back his comments yesterday, but it does not make up for the fact that he views women as second-class citizens and, like other Republican candidates, does not believe they should be trusted to make their own health decisions.
POLITICO: Trump’s 24 hours of mayhem
POLITICO: “He left GOP leaders stupefied with a series of incendiary statements, even by his standards.”
TIME: Why America’s Largest Voting Bloc Isn’t Voting for Trump
TIME: “If Trump wins the Republican nomination, ‘he’ll become a poster child for misogyny,’ predicts Katie Packer, a former Romney strategist.”
BBC: Trump abortion row: Republican frontrunner changes stance
The Huffington Post: Donald Trump Goes Full Anti-Woman, Suggests ‘Punishment’ For Women Who Abort
The Washington Post: Donald Trump’s abortion comments prove (again) why he could be a disaster for Republicans
The Hill: Trump call to punish women for illegal abortions sparks firestorm
Associated Press: Donald Trump says women who get abortions should receive ‘punishment’ if banned
Us Weekly: Donald Trump Says Abortion Ban Should Include ‘Some Form of Punishment’ for Women, Then Backtracks
New York Times: Donald Trump, Abortion Foe, Eyes ‘Punishment’ for Women, Then Recants
FiveThirtyEight: Trump’s Call To Punish Women Who Have Abortions Is Way Outside The Mainstream
Roll Call: Trump’s Behavior Demands Public’s Contempt
Washington Post: Trump would be least-popular major-party nominee in modern times
CNN: Why Trump’s abortion comments scare Republicans
New York Times: First Draft: Talking Abortion, Donald Trump Gives Rivals on Both Sides Fresh Fodder
Salon: The scariest thing about Donald Trump’s abortion comments
Bustle: Donald Trump’s Abortion Punishments Don’t Include Men For Whatever Misogynistic Reason
Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump’s Abortion Comments Spark Furor From Both Sides
Reuters: Trump sounds off on abortion; criticism comes from all sides