WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s “2024 Road to Majority” conference in a keynote speech in Washington on Saturday, where he spoke to an evangelical group known for advocating a national abortion ban, which contrasts with Trump’s previous statements on the issue. Trump, who is expected to be the Republican presidential nominee, has previously expressed hesitation in endorsing a nationwide abortion ban, stating that he believes the decision should be left to individual states.
During his speech at the conference, Trump emphasized the importance of allowing the people to decide on abortion legislation, highlighting the ongoing debate at the state level. Despite his wavering stance on the issue over the years, Trump has garnered extensive support from Christian conservatives, particularly for his nomination of three Supreme Court justices who played a role in the 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark case that had established the right to abortion nationwide.
At the event, Trump commended the conservative majority of the Supreme Court for their actions on the abortion issue, specifically mentioning justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, whom he had appointed. The Faith and Freedom Coalition, which has been actively campaigning for abortion bans following the Supreme Court ruling, warmly welcomed Trump on his ninth appearance at the “Road to Majority” conference.
Speaking to the attendees, Trump urged fellow Christians to come out and vote, particularly emphasizing the need for increased voter turnout among evangelicals and Christians. He criticized President Joe Biden, referring to him as “crooked,” a “Marxist,” and “incompetent,” urging Christian voters to show up in record numbers to support his removal from office. Trump also expressed concerns about early voting options in some states, calling for a strong voter turnout on Election Day.
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Trump’s statements made at the conference regarding abortion and the current president. Overall, Trump’s speech at the Faith and Freedom Coalition event highlighted the ongoing debate around abortion rights and the role of Christian voters in shaping the future political landscape.