Donald Trump touted himself as the 'father of IVF' at a town hall for women hosted by Fox News in Georgia on Wednesday. Trump has faced criticism from opponent Kamala Harris, as well as her running mate Tim Walz, for overturning Roe v Wade, which they argue is effectively against abortion. In a bid to sway women voters, who could be a deciding factor in the November elections, the former president took up questions on IVF – an increasingly preferred way to parenthood for couples with infertility issues.
The Kamala Harris campaign, soon after, posted a video of the claim made by Trump, along with a fact-check. "IVF is under threat across the country because Trump ended Roe v. Wade and his Project 2025 plan could effectively ban IVF altogether," the X account of Kamala HQ posted.
Here's the video:
Trump: “I’m the father of IVF”FACT CHECK: IVF is under threat across the country because Trump ended Roe v. Wade and his Project 2025 plan could effectively ban IVF altogether. pic.twitter.com/tEOUiufDjO
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 16, 2024
Kamala Harris was asked about Trump's comments while she was leaving Detroit for a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. She dismissed Trump's claims, calling it “quite bizarre, actually.”
"If what he meant is taking responsibility, well then yeah, he should take responsibility for the fact that one in three women in America lives in a Trump abortion ban state,” Harris told reporters.
"What Trump should take responsibility for is that couples who are praying and hoping and working toward growing a family have been so disappointed and harmed by the fact that IVF treatments have now been put at risk
“Let’s not be distracted by his choice of words,” Harris added. “The reality is his actions have been very harmful to women and families in America.”