Melania Trump is not the only first lady to express pro-choice views. She joins several former Republican first ladies who have shared similar perspectives, often in their memoirs, despite this stance historically contrasting with the GOP platform.
Other spouses of Republican presidents, such as Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush, have been recorded either during or after their husbands' tenure in office expressing pro-choice views.
In a 1975 '60 Minutes' interview, Betty Ford expressed her support for the legalization of abortion, stating that it was a positive step to bring it out of the backwoods and into hospitals. Nancy Reagan, while publicly avoiding taking a stance against abortion during her husband's presidency, later revealed her personal opposition to abortion but also supported a woman's right to choose.
Barbara Bush, in her 1994 memoir, expressed her discomfort with abortions but acknowledged the importance of allowing individuals to make their own choices. Laura Bush, in a 2010 interview, emphasized the importance of keeping abortion legal for medical and personal reasons.
Pat Nixon, during a 1972 press conference, voiced her support for the right to choose abortion but opposed wholesale abortion on demand. Melania Trump, in her upcoming memoir 'Melania,' echoes the sentiments of her predecessors, advocating for women's autonomy in making decisions about their bodies free from government intervention.
In her book, Trump emphasizes the fundamental right of individual liberty for women to decide on their pregnancies and criticizes any restrictions on a woman's right to choose. Her views align with a shift in the Republican Party's official platform, which has softened its language on abortion. Former President Trump also stated he would not support a federal abortion ban.
Despite drawing criticism from pro-life advocates and the timing of the book's release close to Election Day, Melania Trump's stance on abortion reflects a broader trend among some Republican first ladies who have expressed pro-choice views throughout history.
