Donald Trump: Planned Parenthood ‘Does Do Wonderful Things’
Donald Trump, the former real estate mogul and current front runner in the Republican race, is a complex man.
Trump is unabashedly conservative on many issues. He believes global warming is “a hoax,” generally opposes gun control, and wants to build a wall to stop the influx of illegal aliens.
On other issues, Trump seems to not only be left, but far left. His support of a single-payer health care system is a good example.
Donald Trump is also further to the left than many of his right-leaning peers when it comes to his views on Planned Parenthood. Though “The Donald” remains a steadfast pro-lifer and supports defunding the reproductive service provider, he also believes the organization has done some good for women.
“What I would do when the time came, I’d look at the individual things they do,” Trump told CNN back in August. “… and maybe some of the individual things they do are good.”
“I am for the exceptions. The health of the mother and the life of the mother, I absolutely am for the exceptions and so was Ronald Reagan for the exceptions, by the way, there’s nothing wrong with that and you have to do it.”
Donald reiterated these points at Saturday’s GOP debates.
After his opponent, Ted Cruz, accused him of wanting to fund Planned Parenthood, Trump demanded his opponent support the accusation.
“You said Planned Parenthood does wonderful things,” responded Cruz.
“It does do wonderful things, but not as it relates to abortion,” Trump fired back. “There are wonderful things having to do with women’s health, but not when it comes to abortion.”
Erick Erickson of Townhall.com accused Trump of using the same reasoning Planned Parenthood uses to receive federal funding.
“Keep in mind Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards makes this same argument in order to keep $500 million in taxpayer funding each year. The abortion giant repeatedly claims it only uses taxpayer money for women’s health, not for abortion, ignoring the fact that money is fungible. Trump made that argument for Planned Parenthood tonight from the Republican, pro-life debate stage.”
Live Action News agreed.
“… Trump is practically making Planned Parenthood’s argument for them, by advocating for possible taxpayer funding even though the organization is America’s biggest abortion provider.”
Others also joined in the chorus against the former host of The Apprentice.
Trump called Planned Parenthood wonderful, attacked private property rights & defended the welfare state. This was a GOP debate, by the way.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) February 14, 2016
Trump blamed 9/11 on Bush, defended Planned Parenthood and eminent domain abuse. Not sure that amounts to a “great night.”
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 14, 2016
Planned Parenthood saw things differently, tweeting that “The Donald” simply “reaffirmed that he doesn’t believe women should access to a safe & legal abortion.”
Tonight, @realDonaldTrump reaffirmed that he doesn’t believe women should have access to safe & legal abortion. #notmycandidate #GOPDebate
— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) February 14, 2016
NARAL was also unimpressed with Trump’s stance on women’s health.
Trump may pretend to support women’s health, but he doesn’t support their #healthcare. #GOPDebate
— NARAL (@NARAL) February 14, 2016
Trump apparently cannot make friends with either side on the abortion issue. Those on the right see him as a Trojan horse for abortion, while those on the left see him as no more pro-choice than any other conservative.
However, considering Donald Trump is still the clear leader in the Republican race to the White House, it does not appear that either side’s opposition is hurting him.
[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
