The former US president backtracks from his apparent endorsement of the initiative to widen abortion rights in the state.
Donald Trump said he would vote against a Florida amendment that sought to expand abortion access, after the Republican presidential nominee drew anger from conservative allies by appearing to endorse the initiative.
The referendum in Trump’s home state would broaden abortion rights, currently limited in the state to the first six weeks of a pregnancy.
“You need more time than six weeks. I’ve disagreed with that right from the early primaries, when I heard about it. I disagreed with it,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News ahead of a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
“At the same time the Democrats are radical because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation,” he added. “All of that stuff is unacceptable, so I’ll be voting no for that reason.”
The proposed change would allow abortions “before viability,” which is usually around 24 weeks of pregnancy, and to protect the mother’s health as determined by her healthcare provider.
Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, said in a statement from her campaign that “Donald Trump just made his position on abortion very clear: He will vote to uphold an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant.”
Trump’s remarks sought to contain a controversy that threatened to damage his standing with evangelical leaders who have helped him cement his hold on the Republican Party.
