Byron Donalds scrambles to change topic as CNN host puts him on spot over Trump flip-flop
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) defended Donald Trump after the former president said he planned to support Florida's abortion ban despite saying six weeks did not give women enough time to make a decision.
During an interview on Tuesday, CNN host Phil Mattingly told Donalds that Trump had sent mixed messages on abortion because of a "gut instinct" that it was problematic for Republicans.
"I think he's been reported to have said this was a problem in the 2022 midterm elections for Republicans," the CNN host said. "There's also where anti-abortion advocates are on this, which to some degree you've heard them over the course of the last several days, be very frustrated with where the former president is."
"Wish he would sound more like, as one told me, his first-term version of Donald Trump," Mattingly added. "What do you say to those reliably Republican voters who are concerned on this issue?"
"I would tell those voters in the state of Florida and around the country that President Trump's been very clear when it comes to abortion, specifically to Florida," Donalds stated. "He thinks that the six-week ban is not enough weeks.
"But at the same time, the ballot initiative is far too radical for the state of Florida."
Donalds quickly pivoted to another topic.
"But I think it's important for voters in swing states to understand that the ballot initiative in Florida has no bearing on the cost of food in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan or anywhere else," the lawmaker opined.
Mattingly also asked Donalds about Trump's promise to make IVF accessible for free.
"Is that something you could support?" he asked Donalds.
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"Well, obviously, it's something that is possible to support," Donalds said. "Depends on the details."
"But at the end of the day, the core issues facing the American people are the cost of food and housing."