The outset of the third Presidential debate saw the candidates square off on the future of the Supreme Court, including how their judicial appointees would shape the country’s laws on abortion.
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton stated unequivocally that she would uphold Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that held women have a right to abortion subject to certain regulations.
The initial reply of Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, was somewhat equivocal:
Abortion Q: Do you want the court to overturn Roe v. Wade? Trump: "That'll happen … it will go back to the states."
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 20, 2016
That answer led some pro-life advocates to question Trump’s professed commitment to overturning abortion.
Trump will not say he wants Roe V Wade to be overturned. THIS is the guy we're supposed to trust as pro-lifers. Pathetic. #debate
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) October 20, 2016
Trump then elaborated to say his appointment of pro-life Justices would lead to Roe v. Wade being over-turned “automatically.” That comment, in turn, produced puzzlement in the legal community, who pointed out that the Supreme Court doesn’t work in this fashion — that decisions are not changed “automatically” with new judges.
No, Donald Trump: #SCOTUS cannot overrule Roe "automatically" with your selected picks. #debate
— Cristian Farias (@cristianafarias) October 20, 2016
But as Trump made it clear he supported overturning Roe v. Wade, the comment appeared to have an effect on those viewing the debate:
Trump saying he will appoint SCOTUS justices to overturn Roe v. Wade caused his numbers with independents to tank. 📉 pic.twitter.com/HIwoPjpDHE
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) October 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/johniadarola/status/788911791296229377
Trump then asserted the law permits doctors to “rip the baby out of the womb” days before birth. Pro-life advocates interpreted the comments as a validation of their position.
Trump: Ripping the baby out the womb, may be okay with Hillary, but is NOT OKAY WITH ME #debatenight #prolife #neverhillary
— Matt Batzel (@MattBatzel) October 20, 2016
Others, however, claimed Trump misrepresented the abortion laws, and that he might be might be mistaken about other things as well. “What Donald Trump is talking about is not an abortion, it’s a scheduled C-section,” one person tweeted.