Donald Trump, once again stirring the pot on an issue that is both personal and deeply controversial, hinted that religious exemptions could be part of his proposed mandate on in vitro fertilization (IVF).
During an interview with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Trump was asked about how this IVF mandate might impact those with religious objections, particularly Catholics, who see the practice as morally questionable. Trump’s answer? He’s open to it.
Now, let’s dive into the meat of this. Arroyo, with a nod to the Catholic Church’s stance, pointed out that many Christians and Catholics feel uncomfortable with IVF because it can involve the destruction of embryos—a no-go for pro-life teachings.
The Catholic Church, for one, is firm on this point, teaching that life is sacred from conception and that marriage is the exclusive venue for the creation of life. So, it’s no surprise that Arroyo would ask the question that’s on the minds of many religious voters: would Trump’s IVF mandate make room for those who have moral objections?
Trump didn’t hesitate much. In true Trump fashion, he kept it straightforward, admitting he hadn’t considered it yet but agreeing that it "sounds like a pretty good idea." He doubled down on the idea that many Catholics support IVF because they see it as a way to build families.
“Even Catholics, a lot of them, they want IVF. It’s fertilization, basically… helping parents have a child,” Trump said. It’s an interesting angle, particularly when you think about the growing support for fertility treatments in America, especially among those who struggle with infertility.
Donald Trump says he's open religious exemptions to his proposed IVF mandate: “It sounds, to me, like a pretty good idea, frankly...certainly if there’s a religious problem I think people should go with that..we’ll look at that." pic.twitter.com/PrxEtTEeOp
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 18, 2024
The former president also threw out a little hint of his classic ambiguity, saying, “But we’ll look into that.” It’s that openness that leaves room for interpretation—a move that leaves the door ajar for both religious and non-religious IVF supporters.
And let’s not forget how Trump has branded himself lately when it comes to IVF. In a recent Fox News town hall, he cheekily referred to himself as the “father of IVF,” which his campaign quickly clarified was said in jest. But the message remains clear: Trump is tying his name—and the Republican Party’s name—to the growing demand for fertility treatments. He’s positioning himself as a champion of women and families, making IVF coverage not just a policy but a promise. As he put it during a rally in Michigan back in August, “We want more babies!” For Trump, it’s all about family expansion, and in his eyes, IVF is one route to achieving that.
Trump’s campaign is quick to highlight this as a pro-women and pro-family stance, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt telling the New York Times that IVF isn’t just about medicine—it’s about creating life, something they claim aligns with conservative values. “We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment,” Trump emphasized, with a bold pledge to mandate that insurance companies cover the costs associated with IVF.