Trump Enrages Public With Abortion Gaffe, So Ben Carson Tries To Rescue Him… Again

Donald Trump doesn’t have to worry about putting his foot in his mouth. Ben Carson’s got his back.

Trump enraged thousands, and possibly millions, on both sides of the fence today when he said women who have abortions should face “some form of punishment.”

The Donald retracted his statement about two hours later, saying that the person performing the abortion should be punished. But by then it was too late. It was out there, enshrined in the growing collection of Trump-isms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak2tqBVNMT4

Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon and former GOP contender, rose to Donald Trump’s defense on Wednesday during a CNN interview with Erin Burnett.

“Bear in mind, I don’t believe that he was warned that that question was coming, and I don’t think he really had a chance to really think about it.”

Carson, in his soft-spoken manner, added that since Trump is not a politician, he hasn’t learned how to answer in a political fashion.

“That happens very frequently, and you know, what you develop with experience is how to answer that in a way that is not definitive. You know how politicians are.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTEdwnTD6zo

Trump’s comment was made to MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, an article by Fox13 said. Carson said that after the interview, Trump had time to consult with advisers and figure out a better way to handle the question. Carson agrees with Trump’s second statement.

“I agree that the woman is the victim. She’s traumatized emotionally and in many other ways that’s problematic. In terms of who should be punished, that woman has already been punished. But if it has become illegal, then obviously the person performing the abortion is the person who is breaking the law, and a determination needs to be made in terms of it that is a civil penalty or something more severe.”

After dropping out of the Republican lineup, Carson set up his tent in Trump’s camp and has received some heat for his endorsement. This includes a very public confrontation with Whoopi Goldberg on The View.

https://youtu.be/0Fh8Qf9_Aas

It’s not the first time Carson has attempted to explain Trump. According to an article in Life News, when he was asked why he decided to support Trump, Carson said that it was because, “(Trump) could listen to other people, that he could change his opinions, and that some of the more outlandish things that he’s said, that he didn’t really believe those things.”

Carson didn’t elaborate on which of the things Trump said that he didn’t believe. But when it comes to “outlandish statements,” the number is expanding. Here are some of Trump’s quotes about women, courtesy of Marie Claire.

• “If I were running ‘The View’, I’d fire Rosie O’Donnell. I mean, I’d look at her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I’d say ‘Rosie, you’re fired.'”
• “You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of *ss.”
• “Ariana Huffington is unattractive, both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man – he made a good decision.”
• “I’ve said if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.”
• “I think the only difference between me and the other candidates is that I’m more honest and my women are more beautiful.”
• “Lyin’ Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin’ Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!”

In discussing Trump’s latest gaffe with Erin Burnett, Carson said he was disappointed that other candidates were withdrawing their support. He indicated that it was time for the Republicans to present a united front. He added that “at some point, the Republicans have got to stop their self-destructive behavior.”

[Image via Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock]