There’s a first for everything! SCOTT JENNINGS reveals why Trump wanted his shock abortion announcement to be overshadowed – and says it’s proof Republicans are terrified this issue will cost them the White House

It’s no wonder that Donald Trump has chosen April 8, 2024, to announce his clearest position yet on the thorniest issue dogging Republicans.

He hoped to be blacked out.

On Monday, as millions of Americans watched media coverage of the most spectacular solar energy event in years, Trump released a two-minute video outlining how he would deal with the abortion issue as president.

Nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the case Roe v. Wade – removing the constitutional right to abortion – the issue remains a third rail in American politics.

Voter backlash during the 2022 midterm elections and 2023 elections provided ample evidence that the Roo The decision will cause major headaches for the Republican Party in November.

So, what is Trump’s big plan?

Well, it is – essentially – doing nothing.

“The states will determine (abortion laws) by vote or legislation… and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,” he said in his post on Truth Social.

To be clear, this is just a repeat of the status quo.

Since the 2022 Supreme Court decision, abortion rules have been left up to state legislatures and voting referendums.

Some states have passed very strict laws. Governor Ron DeSantis’ Florida may soon only allow abortions within the first six weeks of pregnancy.

Other states have imposed few restrictions. Governor Gavin Newsom’s California has even promoted itself as an abortion tourism destination.

But it’s what Trump didn’t say that is upsetting some conservatives.

Pro-lifers, who, unlike Trump, have deeply held moral views on the issue, are angry that he has not explicitly expressed support for a national abortion ban.

Without a federal law, they argue, liberal states will open themselves up to abortions on demand and during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Trump had previously flirted with endorsing a national 16-week limit that included exceptions for rape, incest and risks to the mother’s life, so the pro-life movement had reason to remain hopeful.

But Trump ultimately dodged the issue entirely, earning him a rare rebuke from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who wrote, “I respectfully disagree with President Trump’s statement that abortion is a states’ rights issue.”

Sorry, Lindsey, Trump is actually right.

The federal government cannot do much about abortion in the short term. Neither party can expect to control the 60 seats in the U.S. Senate needed to pass new legislation. A national abortion ban is a political impossibility.

The Biden-Harris reelection campaign didn’t let the facts get in the way, releasing a scathing statement in response to Trump’s announcement insisting he would sign a national ban if re-elected president.

‘Let there be no illusion. “If Donald Trump is elected and MAGA Republicans in Congress impose a national abortion ban on the Resolute Desk, Trump will sign it into law,” the statement said.

Let there be no illusion – that is plain wrong.

But Democrats sense a political winner here.

On Monday, the Biden campaign released a bold new political ad highlighting the story of Texas woman Amanda Zurawski.

Zurawski sued the state after she was denied an emergency abortion under Texas’ new law. She claims she didn’t get the care she needed until she went into septic shock.

The video closes with the sentence: “Trump did this.”

The ad is part of a $30 million campaign that will air in battleground states.

Its effectiveness is undeniable – even if the claims about Trump are questionable.

Despite all the criticism of the former president, he supports the exceptions that would have helped Ms Zurawski and there is no suggestion he plans to impose a national abortion ban.

Of course, Biden knows that — but his faltering campaign is counting on stoking fears of abortion restrictions to stoke waning liberal enthusiasm.

When you see Vice President Kamala Harris touring an abortion clinic like any other politician touring a new manufacturing facility, you know where their campaign is going.

The abortion issue is the only one on which Americans trust Biden more than Trump.

About the economy? Immigration? Never mind.

So has Trump done the ‘right thing’ politically?

Time will tell.

But ultimately, Trump knows that pro-life voters, no matter how unhappy they are with Monday’s announcement, would still rather see hell freeze over than vote for Biden.

What about the undecided women, moderates and independents, whom Trump desperately needs to win over in November?

Perhaps some are reassured.

Although the Trump campaign was probably hoping that they were watching the eclipse, and that when it comes time to vote, they will be thinking about the broken southern border, crime on the streets and supermarket prices – instead of abortion.