ABC News moderator Linsey Davis fact-checks former President Trump during the presidential debate, leading to criticism from a pro-life group.
ABC News moderator Linsey Davis fact-checked former President Trump during the presidential debate, leading to criticism from a pro-life group.
During the debate, Trump referred to infamous comments made by former Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam in 2019, suggesting that in those rare instances of third-trimester abortions, a baby could be born alive and a "discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother."
ABC News Moderator Fact-Checks Trump on Abortion
Davis promptly "fact-checked" Trump, saying, "There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born."
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a prominent pro-life group, claims that Davis was "inaccurate" and should correct the record.
ABC News Moderator Fact-Checks Trump on Abortion
"This is 100% inaccurate. Her statement tragically ignores the reality of babies who survive failed, late-term abortions but are denied basic medical care and left to die," Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote.
Dannenfelser cited numerous examples of babies born alive after failed abortions and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that "between 2003 and 2014, around 143 babies died after being born alive following failed abortions."
ABC News Moderator Fact-Checks Trump on Abortion
She also noted that Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, has voted against protections for babies born alive after failed abortions, and that her running mate, Tim Walz, has apologized for "accidentally" voting for said legislation.
Dannenfelser requested an in-person meeting with ABC honchos to speak directly with abortion survivors.
Numerous fact-checks published after the debate slammed Trump for his remarks on abortion. "Infanticide is illegal in every state, and Harris and Walz have never supported it," CBS News reported. NPR also cited a Kaiser Family Foundation report earlier this year that stated abortions "after birth" are illegal in all 50 states.
At the debate, Harris dodged a question from Davis over whether she supported any restrictions on a woman's right to an abortion.
"I absolutely support reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade," Harris said. "And as you rightly mentioned, nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is not happening."
ABC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The debate over abortion is likely to continue in the lead-up to the November election.
