Donald Trump’s latest self-proclaimed title at a Fox News town hall has set the internet on fire. The former president raised eyebrows across the spectrum by calling himself the “father of IVF,” a claim that got equal parts bewilderment and backlash from conservatives and liberals alike.
“Ladies, we are the party for IVF!” Trump declared with Harris Faulkner by his side, a statement that left both sides stunned. Even Trump’s own 2024 rival, Kamala Harris, joined the chorus of critics, questioning, “What is he talking about?” Given his stance on abortion and access to IVF, her surprise was echoed across social media, where skeptics on both ends chimed in. Republican strategists warned that this pro-IVF stance could alienate crucial evangelical supporters who oppose IVF, adding more fuel to the chaotic blaze of Trump’s comments.
Trump’s campaign promise to make IVF government-funded has also sparked mixed reactions. Many pro-life advocates argue it undermines core beliefs around family planning, while others, like Roman Catholics on X (formerly Twitter), criticized Trump for seemingly ignoring religious views on IVF. With some states declaring frozen embryos as “children,” the debate only gets more complex, and Trump’s claim to IVF “fatherhood” may put him further at odds with traditional conservative bases.
As Trump took questions from the mostly supportive crowd in Georgia, he doubled down, branding the GOP as “the party for IVF” in his effort to broaden his family-focused message. But for many conservatives, his stance seemed as shaky as his abortion policies. Trump hinted that while abortion should remain a states’ issue, some “tough” restrictions may need to be revisited.
Only time will tell if the “father of IVF” label will help or hinder Trump’s campaign. But one thing’s clear: from his audience in Cumming, Georgia, to conservative allies across the country, Trump’s latest title has left both parties with a lot to talk about.
