'Bananas': Trump faces backlash over 'defining issue for Republican voters'
Former President Donald Trump furiously backtracked on Monday after he suggested he might restrict Americans' access to contraception in his second term.
But CNN political analyst S.E. Cupp suspects this kind of move shows that Trump is scrambling to figure out how to placate his evangelical base voters without also alienating swing voters.
"This is typical of Trump, especially on this issue," she said. "He has waffled on this issue from the 90s until now on everything from whether there should be a federal ban, a state ban, six weeks, ten weeks, IVF, and contraception. And what's wild to me is that this is a defining issue of this election."
Appearing on KDKA -TV News, the 45th president was asked by Jon Delano: “Do you support any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception?”
“We’re looking at that and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly,” Trump replied in a seemingly off-the-cuff answer. "And I think it's something you'll find interesting. It's another issue that's very interesting. But you'll find it find very smart. I think it's a smart decision. But we'll be releasing it very soon."
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Delano then pressed: "That suggests that you may want to support some restrictions?
A pause.
The reporter continued: "Like the morning after pill?"
Trump appeared to retreat. "We are also — you know things really do have a lot do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others. But I'm coming out within a week or so with a very comprehensive policy which I'll get to you immediately."
Video of the exchange was posted on CBS affiliate's website.
In analyzing the interview, Cupp argued that the presumptive Republican nominee lacks a cogent understanding or position on this critical issue.
"This is a defining issue for women," she said. "Most importantly, this is a defining issue for Republican voters. That he doesn't have a coherent position on this issue is bananas and almost malfeasant."
She continued: "How you haven't hammered this out so that you know exactly what to say when that very easy question is asked — you don't have to back pedal. You don't have to waffle. You don't have to keep saying, 'Well, we'll kick it over to the states!' — as if that answers anything; which is exactly what he did with his abortion."