Trump walks fine line on abortion, but allies and activists have big plans for a second term

Anti-abortion supporters of Donald Trump are expected to aggressively push for him to deliver on their policy priorities should he return to the White House.

Few issues epitomize the astonishing nature of Donald Trump’s political success as much as abortion. Over the past two decades, his public statements on one of the most divisive American cultural issues have swung like a pendulum. Trump has compared his shift on abortion to that of Republican icon and former President Ronald Reagan. It was an evolution that by Election Day 2016 had driven Trump into making unprecedented promises to anti-abortion advocates and allies. And then he won. And he delivered. A New York businessman and reality television star who was once an unabashed supporter of abortion rights became, in Trump’s own words, “the most pro-life president in American history.” It’s the rare statement from the former president that draws vigorous agreement from supporters and vehement critics alike.