Former Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden clashed over abortion during the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections. Abortion has become a major issue in this year's election, with the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022 leading to increased support for abortion rights in various states.
Trump falsely claimed that late-in-pregnancy abortions occur frequently and even after birth. However, medical experts state that less than 1% of all abortions take place at or after 21 weeks of pregnancy, and most third-trimester abortions are medically necessary due to complications such as fetal anomalies or a woman's life being in danger. These procedures are rare, expensive, and difficult to find.
Trump also stated that he would not block access to the abortion pill mifepristone if he returned to the White House. This is a departure from his previous stance on the issue and marks an agreement with the Supreme Court's decision allowing emergency abortions in hospitals receiving federal funding.
Biden, on the other hand, went into the debate with abortion as a winning issue for Democrats. However, he struggled to articulate his position effectively during the debate.
It is important to note that both candidates made false claims during the debate. Trump made over 30 false claims throughout the night, while Biden made fewer but still inaccurate statements. It is crucial for voters to fact-check information from all sources and seek out reliable and unbiased news.