Trump’s 'father of IVF' claim slammed as blatantly 'absurd'

01 November 2024

Some far-right evangelical Christian fundamentalists oppose IVF (in vitro fertilization) as vehemently as they oppose abortion, birth control and condoms. But former President Donald Trump has tried to paint himself as pro-IVF without offending the evangelicals who have been among his most ardent supporters.

Trump has been bragging that he is the "father of IVF." But MSNBC's Steve Benen, in his November 1 column, notes that Trump's Democratic critics are pointing out how anti-IVF the far right can be.

"The GOP candidate really does expect voters to see him not only as some kind of champion of in vitro fertilization, but as the 'father' of the procedure," Benen argues. "These claims are absurd."

Benen points out that Trump reportedly wasn't sure exactly how IVF worked until Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) explained the procedure to him.

"In other words, by his own telling, Trump wasn't especially familiar with this common medical treatment until earlier this year," Benen explains. "Now, however, he apparently expects to be seen as 'the father of IVF' anyway."

Trump's Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, isn't impressed with his IVF claims.

Benen quotes Harris as saying, "He should take responsibility for the fact that one in three women in America lives in a Trump's-abortion-ban state. What he should take responsibility for is that couples who are praying and hoping and working towards growing a family have been so disappointed and harmed by the fact that IVF treatments have now been put at risk."

Steve Benen's full MSNBC column is available at this link.

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