Trump Alienates His Base With Flip Flopping On Reproductive Rights

Update: 2024-09-06

Digest

The episode begins with a discussion of the FBI's raid on the homes of three top aides to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, exploring the potential impact on the mayor's administration. The hosts then delve into Vice President Kamala Harris' launch of a week-long reproductive freedom bus tour, highlighting its aim to mobilize voters, particularly suburban women, around the issue of reproductive rights. The episode features an interview with reproductive health expert Shafali Lufra, who discusses Donald Trump's evolving stance on abortion and the internal conflict within the Republican Party and the anti-abortion movement regarding his position. The hosts then examine Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance's claim that 10,000 votes decided the 2020 election in Arizona, discussing the impact of election denialism on Arizona politics and the potential for a Democratic victory in the state. The episode concludes with a roundup of news headlines, including the arrest of the father of the Appalachian School shooter, Donald Trump's plea in the election interference case, and Hunter Biden's guilty plea to tax evasion and fraud charges. The hosts also remind listeners of the importance of the Electoral College in presidential elections and promote their subscription-exclusive podcast, Polar Coaster, which explores strategies for winning the Electoral College.

Outlines

00:00:00

The FBI Raid on Mayor Adams' Aides and the Implications for His Administration

The episode begins with the hosts introducing themselves and the topic: the FBI's raid on the homes of three top aides to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. They discuss the implications of this event and the potential impact on the mayor's administration.

00:00:45

Kamala Harris' Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour and its Impact on the Upcoming Election

The episode discusses Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign launch of a week-long reproductive freedom bus tour. The tour aims to highlight the importance of reproductive rights in the upcoming election, particularly for suburban women.

00:03:08

Trump's Shifting Stance on Abortion and its Impact on the Republican Party

The hosts interview Shafali Lufra, a reproductive health expert, about Donald Trump's evolving stance on abortion. Lufra discusses the internal conflict within the Republican Party and the anti-abortion movement regarding Trump's position.

00:10:55

Election Denialism in Arizona and its Impact on the 2024 Election

The episode covers Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance's claim that 10,000 votes decided the 2020 election in Arizona. The hosts discuss the impact of election denialism on Arizona politics and the potential for a Democratic victory in the state.

Keywords

Reproductive Rights

The legal and social rights related to a person's ability to make decisions about their reproductive health, including access to contraception, abortion, and prenatal care.

Electoral College

A system used in the United States to elect the president and vice president. Each state is assigned a number of electors based on its population, and the candidate who wins the majority of electors in a state wins that state's electoral votes.

Election Denialism

The belief that an election was stolen or rigged, despite no evidence to support this claim. It is often used to undermine the legitimacy of democratic processes and sow distrust in government institutions.

Swing State

A state in which the outcome of a presidential election is uncertain and could go to either candidate. These states are often targeted by campaigns with increased resources and attention.

Ballot Initiative

A process by which citizens can propose and vote on laws or constitutional amendments. This allows for direct democracy and gives citizens a voice in shaping their state's policies.

FBI Raid

A search of a property conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, often as part of a criminal investigation.

Mayor Eric Adams

The current mayor of New York City.

Vice President Kamala Harris

The current vice president of the United States.

Donald Trump

A former president of the United States and a prominent figure in American politics.

Q&A

What is the significance of the FBI's raid on the homes of Mayor Adams' aides?
The raid suggests potential wrongdoing within the mayor's administration and could have significant implications for his political future. It raises questions about the nature of the investigation and the potential for criminal charges.
How is Kamala Harris' bus tour attempting to mobilize voters?
The tour aims to highlight the importance of reproductive rights in the upcoming election, particularly for suburban women. By focusing on this issue, the Harris campaign hopes to motivate voters to turn out and support their candidacy.
What is the impact of Trump's shifting stance on abortion on the Republican Party and the anti-abortion movement?
Trump's position has created a schism within the Republican Party and the anti-abortion movement. Some activists believe he is the best chance to advance their agenda, while others are concerned about his lack of commitment to their cause.
How has election denialism affected Arizona politics?
Election denialism has become a dominant force within the Arizona GOP, leading to a more extreme and less moderate party. This has given Democrats a fighting chance in the state, as many voters are not attracted to the Republican Party's current direction.
What are some of the key ballot issues in Arizona this fall?
Arizona voters will be deciding on several important issues, including a ballot initiative to overturn the state's abortion ban, a proposal to give lifetime appointments to judges, and a measure that would crack down on immigrants. These issues could have a significant impact on the state's political landscape.

Show Notes

Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign kicked off a weeks-long reproductive freedom bus tour this week, with a 50-stop route that runs through some of the biggest swing states in the upcoming election. It's an issue that plays to Harris' strengths — and former President Donald Trump's biggest weaknesses. While Trump loves to take credit for appointing the Supreme Court justices that ultimately helped overturn Roe v. Wade, he's spent the years since trying to moderate his stance on abortion and reproductive healthcare, angering members of his socially conservative base in the process. Shefali Luthra, who covers reproductive care for The 19th, explains how Trump's muddled stance has angered both sides of the abortion debate.

In Arizona, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate J.D. Vance got an icy reaction when he told a crowd Thursday, "It's very simple, we lost Arizona" in 2020. Election denialism has become a feature of the Republican Party since Trump became its leader, trickling down through the ranks of many state GOP parties, including Arizona's. Jane Coaston, former politics reporter for Vox, a contributor to The New York Times opinion section — and WAD's newest host — examines how Arizona politics went from the party of John McCain to the epicenter of election denialism.

And in headlines: Georgia police arrested and charged the father of the suspect in Wednesday's fatal shooting at Apalachee High School, Trump pleaded not guilty to the revised criminal charges in his election interference case, and President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine charges related to federal tax evasion and fraud.

Show Notes: