During a town hall in Georgia, former President Donald Trump declared himself the “father of IVF” while addressing an all-woman audience in an attempt to appeal to female voters ahead of the 2024 election.
The town hall, aired on Fox News and moderated by Harris Faulkner, aimed to bridge Trump’s gap with women voters, a crucial demographic where he trails Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
The event, held in the battleground state of Georgia, allowed Trump to answer questions on issues ranging from childcare to immigration.
However, it was his remarks on in vitro fertilization (IVF) that drew the most attention.
When asked about his stance on fertility treatments, Trump claimed, “I’m the father of IVF,” before adding that he had sought advice from Republican Senator Katie Britt, describing her as “a fantastically attractive person.”
Trump’s campaign later clarified that his comment about IVF was a joke, but it sparked criticism from both Democrats and reproductive rights advocates.
Trump’s comments come at a time when reproductive rights, including access to IVF, have become central to the 2024 election cycle.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 by the Supreme Court, where three of Trump’s appointees played a key role in the decision, has prompted debates over state-level abortion restrictions and their potential implications for IVF.
Some conservative states, such as Alabama, have passed laws or made rulings that treat embryos as children, raising concerns over how this might affect the legal status of IVF procedures.
In February 2024, Alabama’s Supreme Court ruled that embryos are legally considered children, creating uncertainty about how IVF patients can store, transport, or use frozen embryos in the state.
This ruling sparked a backlash among IVF patients and reproductive rights advocates, who fear that broader restrictions on fertility treatments could follow.
Trump has attempted to position himself as supportive of IVF access, despite some members of the Republican Party expressing opposition to the procedure on religious grounds.
In response to Democratic criticism, Trump insisted that the Republican Party firmly supports IVF, even more than Democrats.
“We are the party for IVF,” he said, as he sought to reassure voters that Republican policies would not endanger access to fertility treatments.
Senate Republicans, however, have twice blocked Democratic efforts to pass the “Right to IVF Act,” which would protect access to IVF nationwide and mandate insurance coverage for the procedure.
Most Republicans argue that such legislation is unnecessary and would infringe on religious freedoms.
Trump’s remarks on IVF came amid ongoing debates over reproductive rights and his party’s stance on abortion.
Vice President Kamala Harris quickly responded to his town hall comments, calling them “bizarre” and highlighting Trump’s role in appointing the Supreme Court justices who ended national abortion protections.
Harris has repeatedly attacked Trump’s record on women’s rights, accusing him of promoting policies that harm women and families.
Polls indicate that Trump continues to struggle with women voters, particularly in key swing states like Georgia and Pennsylvania.
A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed that 56% of likely women voters support Harris, compared to 40% for Trump.
Among Black women, Harris holds an overwhelming lead with 83% support.
The gender gap remains a significant challenge for Trump’s campaign, which is working to win over suburban and female voters.
Despite his controversial remarks and past record, Trump has maintained that his policies on issues like immigration, crime, and the economy will ultimately win over women voters.
He often touts his strong stance on these matters, claiming that women don’t want “millions of people coming through our border” or “crime in the middle of our streets.”
As the election approaches, Trump’s efforts to appeal to female voters will be critical in determining the outcome, particularly in battleground states like Georgia.
However, his comments on IVF and reproductive rights may continue to be a point of contention in a race where the gender gap could prove decisive.
