Donald Trump says he'll make IVF treatment free during Michigan campaign stop
POTTERVILLE, Mich. (FOX 2) - Donald Trump's campaign in Michigan continued Thursday with a stop at a manufacturing plant in Pottersville, where he announced if he was elected president, he would make In vitro fertilization free.
"Your government or insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs of IVF treatment," he said during the event Thursday afternoon. IVF treatment, which is fertility treatment outside the body, has become a flash point in the debate of reproductive rights this election cycle.
It's the former president's latest pivot on issues of reproductive health after Trump posted on social media last week that he would be "great for women and their reproductive rights."
While Trump has frequently aligned himself with opponents of abortion, including attending the March for Life as president, his recent softening on the issue represents a dramatic shift in the candidate's attempt to reframe his stance.
Democrats have campaigned hard on issues like access to abortion and IVF treatment, making it a staple of the 2022 Midterms as well as the party's recent nominating convention.
Trump's campaign events over the past week have been issue-based, with two of those engagements happening in Michigan. He spoke in Howell for a press conference about public safety last week, and then again in Detroit at the National Guard Association's conference the previous Monday.
After his Potterville visit, Trump will travel to Wisconsin for a town hall moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, the Associated Press reports.
Gabbard has been stumping for Trump and was recently appointed to the former president's transition team, alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who dropped out of the presidential race last week and endorsed the Republican nominee.
In condensing support from two officials who have run for president as Democrats, Trump is hoping to gain support in key states that could decide the presidency.
Democratic nominee Vice President Harris is polling closely with Trump in all swing states. In the latest surveys, Harris has slight leads over Trump in Michigan.
Eaton County has voted for Trump in the past two presidential elections.
Economy a top issue
Frequently a top priority for voters during election season, both Harris and Trump are framing part of their campaigns around keeping costs low for Americans.
As Trump has criticized President Joe Biden and his vice president for their economic polices, Harris has released general policy ideas that target price gouging and raising taxes on some of the wealthiest Americans.
Douglas Emhoff also in Michigan
Trump isn't the only public official in Michigan on Thursday. Douglas Emhoff, the second gentleman, will also be in Michigan with his own remarks on the economy.
His visit will be in Grand Rapids.
Trump's Arlington Cemetery event was in 'flagrant violation' of law: officials
Photos of Trump at Arlington National Cemetery show him smiling and giving a "thumbs up" sign beside the grave of a soldier who was killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal.