NBC’s moderator inaccurately claimed that no one is advocating for late-term abortions. However, this statement is incorrect.
NBC’s Kristen Welker Fails to Fact-Check Trump on Late-Term Abortion
In a recent interview with former President Donald Trump, NBC’s Kristen Welker attempted to dismiss the idea that anyone supports legal abortion up to birth. However, her claim is easily debunked.
During the hour-long interview on “Meet the Press,” Trump criticized Democrats for advocating for late-term abortions. He specifically mentioned allowing abortions even after birth. Welker quickly denied this, stating that no one supports such extreme measures.
But the reality is that there are numerous abortion activists who openly advocate for abortion on demand up to birth. Additionally, several states, including Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., have no gestational limits on abortion.
While some high-profile Democrats may be hesitant to publicly support late-term abortions, others have been more forthright. Senator Ben Cardin, for example, stated that there should be no cutoff before the due date and that it is ultimately a woman’s decision.
Furthermore, many House and Senate Democrats support the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would legalize abortions after fetal viability, typically around 23 weeks. The Biden administration also backs this act.
Trump also claimed that Democrats support killing babies after birth, to which Welker again denied. While no Democrat explicitly lists infanticide on their platform, there have been instances where some Democrats have appeared to support it. Former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam infamously stated that if a mother is in labor, the infant would be delivered, kept comfortable, and then a discussion would take place between the physicians and the mother.
In 2019, Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would have protected babies born alive after a failed abortion. This raises concerns about the treatment of infants who survive the procedure.
Contrary to popular belief, data suggests that most late-term abortions are not performed due to fetal abnormalities or to save the mother’s life. A study published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health found that the reasons for seeking later terminations are often unrelated to these factors.
While Welker may downplay the popularity of legal late-term abortion among the American public, recent polls show that only half of Americans support abortion after 15 weeks, which is still early in the second trimester. However, Democratic politicians have shown a willingness to push for more extreme abortion policies.
Which states in the United States have laws that permit late-term abortions and under what circumstances
States in the United States have laws that allow for late-term abortion.
One prominent example of an activist who supports late-term abortion is Dr. LeRoy Carhart. Carhart has been performing abortions up to 26 weeks gestation and has openly stated that he believes women should have the right to an abortion at any stage of pregnancy. He has even argued that women should be allowed to have an abortion after the fetus has reached viability.
Another example is the organization NARAL Pro-Choice America, which has been a vocal advocate for abortion rights. In a statement on their website, they assert that “abortion is a personal decision that should be left to a woman and her doctor. No arbitrary restrictions should be imposed by politicians who presume that they know better than women and their doctors.” This statement makes it clear that they support unrestricted access to abortion, including late-term procedures.
Furthermore, several states in the United States have laws that permit late-term abortions. For example, New York’s Reproductive Health Act, passed in 2019, allows for abortions up to the moment of birth if the mother’s health is at risk or if the fetus is not viable. Vermont, Colorado, and New Hampshire also have laws that permit abortions throughout pregnancy in certain circumstances.
By dismissing Trump’s assertion and claiming that no one supports late-term abortion, Welker failed to acknowledge the reality of the situation. While it may be true that not everyone supports late-term abortion, there are certainly individuals and organizations that do. It is crucial for journalists to be accurate and thorough in their fact-checking, particularly when it comes to sensitive and politically charged topics such as abortion.
It is worth noting that the conversation around late-term abortion is a complex and contentious issue. There are valid arguments on both sides, and opinions vary widely. However, as journalists, it is important to present the facts and acknowledge differing perspectives rather than dismissing certain viewpoints altogether.
In conclusion, NBC’s Kristen Welker’s dismissal of Trump’s statement regarding late-term abortion was inaccurate. There are indeed individuals and organizations that support late-term abortion, as well as several states that have laws permitting it. It is essential for journalists to fact-check and present an unbiased account of the subject matter, particularly when it involves such a sensitive and debated issue as abortion.
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