Trump Says He ‘Strongly’ Supports IVF After Alabama Supreme Court Ruling

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald J. Trump greets his supporters at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, S.C., on Feb. 20, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Former President Donald Trump on Feb. 23 came out in support of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in response to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found that embryos are babies, putting the future of IVF in the state in jeopardy.

In a Truth Social Post, President Trump voiced opposition to the decision and urged the Alabama state legislature to protect IVF treatments in the wake of the judgment.

The 45th president stated in a post on Truth Social that he “strongly” supports the availability of IVF for couples “who are trying to have a precious baby.”

“Under my leadership, the Republican Party will always support the creation of strong, thriving, healthy American families,” President Trump said in the social media post.

“We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America. Like the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans, including the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby.”

The former president and current Republican frontrunner then called on the Alabama legislature to “act quickly” to find a solution to “preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama.”

“The Republican Party should always be on the side of the Miracle of Life - and the side of Mothers, Fathers, and their Beautiful Babies,” President Trump said. “IVF is an important part of that, and our Great Republican Party will always be with you, in your quest, for the ULTIMATE JOY IN LIFE!”

Other Reactions to Ruling

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office has now made clear its position regarding the enforcement of this ruling in relation to IVF families and providers.

“Attorney General Marshall has no intention of using the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision as a basis for prosecuting IVF families or providers,” Chief Counsel Katherine Robertson said in a brief statement provided by Marshall’s office to The Epoch Times.

President Joe Biden’s campaign released a statement in response to President Trump, asserting that his likely 2024 presidential rival was attempting to “whitewash the reality he created,” according to a press release that included a statement by Biden–Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez.

“Let’s be clear: Alabama families losing access to IVF is a direct result of Donald Trump’s Supreme Court justices overturning Roe v. Wade,” Ms. Rodriguez said in the press release received by The Epoch Times via email on Feb. 23.

“Trump is responsible for 20-plus abortion bans, restrictions on women’s ability to decide if and when to grow a family, and attacks on contraception. He proudly overturned Roe, and brags about it on the campaign trail—as recently as last night.

“Trump cannot run from his record and neither can the millions of women who his actions have hurt. Trump and his extreme MAGA allies are planning to ban abortion nationally, limit contraception, and destroy women’s health care coast to coast. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will protect women’s health and freedom to make their own decisions about growing their families.”

On Feb. 16, the Alabama Supreme Court rendered a decision stating that human embryos preserved in an extrauterine environment are considered children under state regulations and are therefore protected by unlawful death statutes.

The court ruled as part of a litigation in which the plaintiffs pursued compensation for embryos stored at a defunct cryogenic facility.

The Alabama Supreme Court stipulated in its ruling that the primary issue in the case was whether the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act does not apply to unborn children who are outside of a biological uterus at the time of their death.

“The answer to that question is no: the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location,” the court decided in a 7–2 ruling.

“Neither the text of the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act nor this Court’s precedents exclude extrauterine children from the Act’s coverage. Unborn children are ‘children’ under the Act, without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics.”

Haley’s Support

Fellow GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley has also spoken on the issue, saying that she supports the Alabama Supreme Court decision.

“Embryos to me are babies,” Ms. Haley told NBC News on Feb. 21, noting that she had her son, Nalin Haley, through artificial insemination.

Ms. Haley, who has been vocal about her position as a is pro-life advocate, stated that it is one thing to save sperm or eggs, “but when you talk about an embryo, you are talking about, to me, that’s a life.”

Therefore, she said, “I do see where that’s coming from when [the Alabama Supreme Court talks] about that.”

However, said Ms. Haley, conversations about IVF are “incredibly personal” and “incredibly sensitive.”

“That’s the conversation the doctor needs to have with the patient,” she said. “Let’s never underestimate the importance of the relationship between a doctor and patient when they’re doing any of that.”

Ms. Haley’s appeal for a mindful approach towards the IVF matter reflects her stance on the contentious issue of abortion, in which she asserts that a “respectful” mentality is required and that a consensus should be reached.

Naveen Athrappully and Jackson Richman contributed to this report.