Presidential Debate at CNN headquarters, Atlanta GA: on Abortion

Donald Trump: I believe in exceptions for rape, incest, and maternal life

The problem [pro-choice Democrats] have is they're radical because they will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth. If you look at the former governor of Virginia, he was willing to do this. He said, "we'll put the baby aside and we'll determine what we do with the baby." Meaning, "we'll kill the baby."

So that means he can take the life of the baby in the ninth month and even after birth, because some states--Democrat-run--take it after birth. Again, the former governor of Virginia: "put the baby down, then we decide what to do with it." So he's willing to, as we say, rip the baby out of the womb in the 9th month and kill the baby. [See FactCheck: no state allows abortion after birth].

Donald Trump: FactCheck: No, Democrats don't allow abortion after birth

[Governor Ron DeSantis claimed in a 2023 interview], "In some liberal states, you actually have post-birth abortions and I think that's wrong." The post-birth abortion claim is something that Republicans and anti-abortion activists have repeated for years, before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The claim was wrong then, and it is wrong now: Willfully terminating a newborn's life is not legal in any state. There is not a state, or probably any place in the world, that would allow someone to murder an infant after they were born.

Donald Trump: I will not block abortion medication: abortion pill ok

TRUMP: First of all, the Supreme Court just approved the abortion pill. And I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it.

BIDEN: The fact is that the vast majority of constitutional scholars supported Roe when it was decided. And this is the guy [Trump] who says the states should be able to have it. We're in a state where in six weeks, you don't even know whether you're pregnant or not, but you cannot see the doctor or have your--and have him decide on what your circumstances are, whether you need help. The idea that states are able to do this is a little like saying, we're going to turn civil rights back to the states. Let each state have a different rule.

Joe Biden: Leaving abortion to the states turns back rights

TRUMP: First of all, the Supreme Court just approved the abortion pill. And I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it.

BIDEN: The fact is that the vast majority of constitutional scholars supported Roe when it was decided. And this is the guy [Trump] who says the states should be able to have it. We're in a state where in six weeks, you don't even know whether you're pregnant or not, but you cannot see the doctor or have your--and have him decide on what your circumstances are, whether you need help. The idea that states are able to do this is a little like saying, we're going to turn civil rights back to the states. Let each state have a different rule.