CHICAGO — Donald Trump is experiencing challenges in establishing a clear stance on abortion and reproductive rights, an issue that has become a significant concern for Republicans as the election approaches.

The former president’s positions appear to be erratic, often shifting between different viewpoints or providing unclear and at times contradictory responses. This inconsistency especially impacts his appeal to women voters, who remain apprehensive about his views—especially following his appointment of three Supreme Court justices who contributed to the dismantling of nationwide abortion rights two years ago.

Recently, Trump commented on a Fox News town hall that certain abortion laws were “too tough” and suggested they would be “redone.” He stated, “It’s going to be redone. They’re going to, you’re going to, you end up with a vote of the people. They’re too tough, too tough. And those are going to be redone because already there’s a movement in those states.” However, Trump refrained from providing details on which laws or states he was referencing and what exactly “redone” entailed.

This comment could be seen as contradictory, as he has criticized stringent abortion bans that numerous Republican-led states have implemented since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Just recently, Trump voiced opposition to a proposed ballot amendment in Florida aimed at reversing the state’s six-week abortion restriction, despite previously affirming that the law was excessively severe.

Trump’s messaging has oscillated between highlighting his Supreme Court appointments and adopting a more neutral position, attempting to balance the demands of his anti-abortion base with the views of the majority of Americans, who support abortion rights.

According to a July poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, around 60% of Americans believe that states should generally allow individuals the option to seek a legal abortion for any reason. In the past two years, voters in various states—including some that are traditionally conservative—have either safeguarded abortion rights or thwarted attempts to impose restrictions on those rights.

Despite this, Trump has continually insisted that the issue of abortion rights has been returned to the states, even though residents in many states, particularly in the South, do not have the ability to influence the matter due to Republican-controlled legislatures. These lawmakers, benefitting from district gerrymandering, have established some of the strictest abortion laws since the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Currently, 13 states have enacted outright bans on abortion at any point during pregnancy, while several others prohibit the procedure after six weeks—before many women may even realize they are expecting.

In tandem with this, anti-abortion advocates and Republican officials in state governments are implementing various strategies to counteract proposed ballot measures aimed at protecting abortion rights in at least eight states this year.

Examining Trump’s evolving views: In a recent statement, Trump declared that some abortion laws are “too tough” and hinted at their potential overhaul. However, just a month ago, he indicated he would vote against a measure to repeal Florida’s controversial six-week ban, which he previously labeled a “terrible mistake.” This claim followed a suggestion that he might back the repeal. Historically, Trump has expressed that such strict measures were excessive.

Additionally, in a social media post following an October vice presidential debate, Trump stated he would veto any national abortion ban, changing his earlier ambiguous stance from a debate with Kamala Harris where he refused to clarify if he would take such action.

Trump’s prior statements reflect a journey from self-identifying as “very pro-choice” during the early days of his political ambitions, to more complex regulations during his presidency, including the suggestion of supporting a ban on abortions after 20 weeks and later proposing a 15-week national limit.

On the issue of legal consequences for women who have abortions, Trump previously indicated that it was a matter for the states to decide. His 2016 sentiments of imposing “some form of punishment” for women seeking abortions continue to resonate in the political landscape, underscored by his reluctance to clarify his stance on the abortion pill mifepristone.

Moreover, Trump has exhibited contradictory views regarding contraception and in vitro fertilization (IVF). He recently suggested he might support conversations around regulating contraception but quickly asserted these remarks were taken out of context. Furthermore, he claimed to advocate for IVF while acknowledging his need to understand its implications better after key legal decisions highlighted it as a contentious topic.

Despite the Republican Party’s efforts to cultivate a pro-IVF image, persistent opposition from various factions within the party contradicts this narrative.