Trump

Trump struggles for composure as Harris presses on abortion, leadership

By Uzair Adam

Former President Donald Trump struggled to maintain his composure as Vice President Kamala Harris confronted him on key issues during their first debate.

The discussion, marked by sharp exchanges, centered around topics like abortion rights, Trump’s legal challenges, and his overall fitness for office, as both candidates sought to gain an edge in the close race.

Harris, a former prosecutor, managed to unsettle the 78-year-old Trump, who responded with several inaccurate statements. One particularly tense moment occurred when Harris criticized Trump’s rallies, suggesting that attendees often leave due to “exhaustion and boredom.”

She also accused Trump of lying and insulting American women through his policies, particularly regarding abortion.

Harris condemned Trump for supporting abortion bans that provide no exceptions, even in cases of rape or incest, and highlighted the real-life consequences these laws have on women’s healthcare, particularly for those facing miscarriages or other emergencies.

In response, Trump defended his role in the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, which led to the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and insisted that the issue was better handled at the state level.

He also repeated the false claim that Democrats support the execution of babies after birth, a statement Harris rebuked as “insulting to the women of America.”

When asked about his position on a national abortion ban, Trump avoided a direct answer and shifted the conversation to student loans.

#USDecides2024: Harris, Trump set for debate on Tuesday

By Uzair Adam

The highly anticipated face-off between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump is set to take place on Tuesday in Philadelphia.

This will be the first and potentially only televised debate ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested 2024 presidential election.

With President Joe Biden stepping down from the race, Harris has become the new face of the Democratic Party, uniting her supporters and narrowing Trump’s lead in the polls.

However, the race remains tight, and Harris acknowledges she is still the “underdog.”

Trump, now 78, has taken an aggressive approach after Harris’s candidacy disrupted his White House bid, making him the oldest candidate in U.S. history.

The former president, known for his controversial remarks, including racist and sexist taunts aimed at Harris, will look to dominate the debate in his signature style.Both candidates have a lot riding on the debate.

Harris, America’s first female, Black, and South Asian vice president, has been preparing intensely in Pittsburgh, aware that she must navigate a barrage of attacks while combating stereotypes.

Trump, on the other hand, will have to gauge how much of his brash rhetoric will resonate with undecided voters in a deeply polarized country.

The debate is set to take place in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state, adding to the tension.

Given the uncertainty surrounding future debates, this encounter could be pivotal for both campaigns as they look to sway voters in the final stretch before the November 5 election.

With millions of Americans expected to tune in, the outcome could significantly impact the direction of the race, especially in an election year marked by sharp divisions.

All eyes will be on the ABC moderators to manage the proceedings and potentially fact-check the candidates, especially given Trump’s previous debate performances.

This event promises to be a critical moment in what has already been a historic election season.

Trump defers abortion rights decision to states

By Uzair Adam Imam

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has advocated for leaving the decision on abortion rights to individual US states, a move that deviates from his previous wavering on the highly controversial issue.

In a video shared on his Truth Social network, Trump expressed his stance, stating, “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both.”

He stated that whatever decision states make regarding abortion rights “must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state.”

This declaration comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Trump’s position on abortion, exacerbated by conflicting reports.

In February, The New York Times published an article suggesting Trump favored a 16-week national abortion ban but refrained from publicly addressing it to avoid alienating socially conservative supporters.

The backdrop against which Trump’s statement emerges is the landmark 2022 US Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, the case that had established the federal right to abortion.

The ruling effectively transferred the authority over abortion laws to individual states, resulting in a patchwork of regulations across the country.

While some states have implemented near-total bans on abortion, others, like Maryland, have reinforced abortion rights through legislation.

Many conservatives have been advocating for a national ban to supersede state laws favoring abortion rights.

However, public opinion leans towards supporting abortion rights, with extensive polling indicating that a majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal in most cases.

Approximately half of the states have enacted measures to safeguard access to abortion services.

Trump’s presidential rival, incumbent President Joe Biden, has consistently supported abortion access despite being a devout Catholic.

Democrats have framed Trump as the driving force behind attacks on reproductive rights and have vowed to restore Roe v Wade if given the opportunity.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v Wade, abortion rights advocates have achieved success in seven consecutive referendum victories.

Conversely, Republicans have struggled to establish a clear stance on the issue and faced repercussions in the 2022 midterm elections, losing crucial battlegrounds to candidates supporting abortion rights.

In his video address, Trump reiterated his support for exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk.

He also emphasized his backing for in vitro fertilization (IVF) access for couples undergoing fertility treatments.

Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court’s decision effectively grants states the ultimate authority on matters of personhood, potentially impacting various aspects of reproductive health, including IVF procedures.

Trump’s latest stance adds another layer to the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States.