After Calling Himself ‘Father Of IVF’ Trump Signals He’s Open To Religious Exemptions To Covering Procedure

Topline

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday told a Catholic news outlet he was open to the idea of exempting religious organizations from covering the cost of in-vitro fertilization—a procedure he has vowed to have either the government or insurance companies cover if he is elected in November.

Key Facts

In an interview with EWTN on the sidelines of the annual Al Smith charity dinner, Trump was asked about the concerns of Catholics who believe IVF involves “killing embryos” and if he would include a religious exemption to his “IVF mandate” for organizations and businesses.

The former president—who referred to himself as the “father of IVF” in a town hall earlier this week—said he hadn’t been asked about that, but it “sounds to me like a pretty good idea.”

Trump noted that “even Catholics, a lot of them…want IVF…they view that as helping a family, helping parents have a child.”

However, the former president indicated that if there’s a “religious problem”, people should be able to seek an exemption and added, “we will look at that.”

Trump was also asked if he would reinstate the “Mexico City Policy”—which blocked federal funding to foreign non-governmental organizations that “perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations”—which was rescinded in 2021 after President Joe Biden took office.

The former president took credit for implementing the policy during his term and said “We’re going to be giving that a very good, serious look.

Tangent

Speaking at the annual Al Smith charity dinner in New York—which Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend in person—Trump repeatedly attacked his opponent. Harris sent a recorded video message, saying: “In the spirit of tonight's dinner, let us recommit to reaching across divides, to seek understanding and common ground.” Trump, however, criticized her non-attendance as “deeply disrespectful.” The former president then told the audience: “If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I guess you should have told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis and she would have been here, guaranteed.” Trump also urged Catholics to vote for him, instead of Harris saying “You better remember that I’m here and she’s not.”