National abortion ban splits the Trump campaign and Republican activists writing the party platform

For the first time in 40 years, Republicans may drop their anti-abortion platform stance at former President Donald Trump’s request, even as Trump remains in the spotlight for his role in overturning Roe v. Wade. The party’s platform committee, convening Monday before the Republican National Convention, faces tension as Trump pushes for a shorter, broader-appeal document. This move has sparked frustration among conservative activists and disagreements within the party over Trump’s trade and foreign policy strategies. Trump, who backed a 20-week abortion ban in 2018, has recently criticized strict anti-abortion stances, linking them to the GOP’s underperformance in the 2022 midterms.