# Will Melania Trump's pro-choice stance be a factor in the election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [October 3, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425 "2024-10-03T22:09:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/21 "2024-10-03T23:05:17Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > But in another thread, one Doper says they believe this is a deliberate ploy to attract suburban women into Trump’s camp. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but then very little about these last three elections have made sense to me. I’d put it in the same camp as Trump issuing his “defund the police” executive order (the one where he ordered the AG to defund any police agencies that use violence against perps) while accusing Biden of being pro-“defund the police”. You push the message that you’re working for the black community to the black community through directly targeted ad buys, trust the Democrats to not publicize that Trump did something that would be attractive to their voters, and that the Republicans won’t publicize something that Trump did that would be negative to them. Same here, you promote Melania’s message to suburban women and trust the right to ensure Omerta on the subject, and you’re golden. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/22 "2024-10-03T23:19:01Z")
I don’t believe Trump supporters actually like Melania. Probably less so now that she’s done such a haphazard job of standing by her man over the last 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/23 "2024-10-03T23:21:06Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Zero impact on the election. This ten times over. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/24 "2024-10-03T23:21:16Z")
Trump pro-life voters will be pissed, but I don’t think any will defect or refuse to vote. After all, the only other alternative is an even-more-pro-choice Kamala. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/25 "2024-10-03T23:24:24Z")
Y’all are assuming that it will be reported by sources that they watch. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/26 "2024-10-03T23:25:41Z")
I feel it’s not going to be as easy for Trump as you’re making it out to be. Trump has already been having a difficult time trying to successfully waffle on the abortion issue. He isn’t going into this election with a lot of margin he can afford to lose. He can’t afford to offend women voters and he can’t afford to offend Christian voters. And as I noted, Trump can’t follow his usual tactic of ignoring the substance of the issue by making it all about personal attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/27 "2024-10-03T23:34:57Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Trump pro-life voters will be pissed, but I don’t think any will defect or refuse to vote. After all, the only other alternative is an even-more-pro-choice Kamala. As I’ve already said, I don’t see any Christian Conservative voters defecting to Harris. But you mentioned the third alternative; deciding not to vote for either candidate. It’s not like Trump has been an ideal Christian Conservative candidate up to now. Christian Conservatives have had to lean really hard on the Cyrus argument to justify supporting somebody who so obviously does not hold Christian values. Trump has never been one of them and Melania’s defection right now is a reminder of that. I will concede there’s the Project 2025 argument. I’m sure that are wavering Christian Conservatives who are being told “You’re not voting for Donald Trump. You’re voting for the Christian dictator that will follow him.” ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/28 "2024-10-03T23:34:57Z")
It will be a factor in…selling Melania’s book. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/29 "2024-10-03T23:36:57Z")
50 likes and bumps. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/30 "2024-10-03T23:43:31Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s not like Trump has been an ideal Christian Conservative candidate up to now. Christian Conservatives have had to lean really hard on the Cyrus argument to justify supporting somebody who so obviously does not hold Christian values. Trump has never been one of them and Melania’s defection right now is a reminder of that. If they have already come to terms with his being the embodiment of all seven of the deadly sins, what his wife thinks isn’t going to shift the needle. The only person I could see who could possibly be persuaded by this is a woman who is fundamentally MAGA but also pro-choice. If you are desperately looking for any excuse to convince yourself that Trump is pro-choice this could do it. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/31 "2024-10-03T23:48:55Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Even Trump must realize he’s going to look bad if he starts attacking his own wife. He’s not anti-abortion either, but he can’t come out and say that because a lot of his cultists are (the ‘states rights’ thing is a fig leaf for him). Using his wife as a tool to try and attract a few more stray votes from vacillating suburban women is pretty on-brand. I also think she’s angling to avoid going back to Washington. I’m sure she’d very much prefer to sit on her ass in New York. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/32 "2024-10-03T23:59:32Z")
It’s a grift. I have no idea whatsoever what Ms. Trump believes (other than … in cash), but it’s a grift. 'Member all the “adults in the room” who were going to keep Donald Trump’s insanity in check? All the ones who weren’t related to him were fired (and endlessly trashed in the media and social). The ones who _are_ related to him … seem to be at an increased distance. Trump values the _appearance_ that there will be human straitjackets serving to keep his innumerable worst impulses in check and provide balanced policy perspective. Then he quickly, summarily, and publicly dispatches them. Trump’s not doing well with likely women voters. This is a naked play for their votes. If Melania truly and authentically took a prominent position – against him – on such a pivotal electoral issue – first, her parents, then she would be at the top of the “To Deport” list. She has _never_ unabashedly bitten the hand that feeds her. It’s nearly inconceivable to me that she ever would. IMHO. ETA: I put it in the same category as this one: > [@Did or did not Trump say in Charlottetown, "There were some fine people on both sides"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-or-did-not-trump-say-in-charlottetown-there-were-some-fine-people-on-both-sides/1008382/15): > > I think I’ve offered this on another thread: Former President Trump has taken every conceivable position on every possible issue. He has affirmed and disavowed every position he’s ever held. He was both deadly serious and totally kidding. The strategy? No matter the outcome, he can point to ‘evidence’ that he called it right from the beginning. I tend to view Trump as far more evil than stupid. He says the thing that the deplorables are desperate to hear, but says it in a way that gives his … ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/33 "2024-10-04T00:15:13Z")
Melania wants abortion to be legal for people like her. Rank and file Republicans are fine with that. They just want it to be illegal for those other people. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/34 "2024-10-04T00:34:39Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Or the alternative Trumpian way: > > « Melania Trump? Don’t know her. » “She always seemed like a nice lady, I passed by her in the White House a couple of times when she brought me a cup of coffee.” ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/35 "2024-10-04T00:41:40Z")
> IOW: Trump hasn’t spoken to her and has no idea what’s in her book ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/36 "2024-10-04T00:59:11Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > Zero impact on the election. > > This ten times over. Zero to the tenth power equals nothing at all. —Jethro Tull ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/37 "2024-10-04T01:41:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > IOW: Trump hasn’t spoken to her and has no idea what’s in her book To be fair, he didn’t single his wife’s book out. He doesn’t what’s in any other book either. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/38 "2024-10-04T01:45:04Z")
I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/39 "2024-10-04T02:04:47Z")
It won’t be a _measurable_ factor in the election. It may give some Republican suburban women permission to vote for Trump. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/03/melania-trump-abortion-first-ladies/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/03/melania-trump-abortion-first-ladies/) > …Trump is joining an unbroken line of Republican first ladies who, since _Roe_ was decided, have held personal views in favor of abortion rights that are at odds with those of their husbands’ administrations. Examples include Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush. Only Betty Ford made her statement while her husband was in office though. Will it alienate abortion opponents? Nah. Most of them are the kind of hypocrites who applaud protests at Planned Parenthood but are totally cool with IVF, which kills many more post-conception entities than abortion does. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425/40 "2024-10-04T02:06:33Z")
Roe v. Wade was quashed. This thrilled many Republicans, and Project 2025 goes further. Many women are less enthused. So when Vance now says he wishes to increase choice, Trump disavows conservative think tanks, Melanie now comes out with a non-influential opinion… this seems a tad insincere. They want to reassure these women and win their vote. They just don’t want to change what they did and might well do in the future. “Your call is important to us….” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-melania-trumps-pro-choice-stance-be-a-factor-in-the-election/1008425.md?page=3)