In times like these, it’s essential to remember: it’s entirely possible to fully support a presidential candidate while still holding critiques of those closest to them. Unfortunately, it’s time to be critical of someone within former President Donald Trump’s inner circle—his wife, former first lady Melania Trump.
While Melania is certainly a marked improvement over other recent first ladies, her recent remarks on abortion are troubling. Her class and poise are undeniably preferable to the divisive tendencies of figures like Jill Biden or Michelle Obama, but Mrs. Trump’s latest comments warrant serious scrutiny.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Melania said, “Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard. Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does, ‘My body, my choice,’ really mean?”
The post links to Mrs. Trump’s upcoming memoir, which, according to reports from The Guardian, includes a strong defense of abortion rights. In a controversial excerpt, she writes: “Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”
This statement, of course, is completely divorced from the reality that it’s not just the woman’s body involved—there’s also an unborn child. Pro-life advocates were quick to criticize her remarks, calling them alarming and misguided. Live Action’s Lila Rose noted, “Who is this, Melania Trump or Kamala Harris? Functionally the same exact position on abortion.” Public speaker and pro-life advocate Samuel Sey took it even further, calling her stance “evil.”
Politically, Melania’s comments are ill-timed, as single-issue voters are a powerful bloc. These voters may not care about economic policies or international diplomacy, but they care deeply about protecting unborn children. For Melania to alienate these voters so close to an election is a strategic error.
Conservative pundit Allie Beth Stuckey, while still pledging to vote for Trump, expressed her frustration: “Melania coming out unapologetically in favor of abortion 50 days before the election is demoralizing… But let’s not pretend pro-lifers have no reason to feel frustrated.”
It’s important to recognize that no politician or political figure is perfect. But when it comes to abortion, Melania’s comments are disturbing. For single-issue voters, the question is whether to support Trump despite this misstep, or face the alternative of a Harris administration that would likely push for even more extreme abortion policies. For many, the latter is simply not an option, even if it means voting through gritted teeth.
