Graham says 2024 election ‘is not going to be about abortion’

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the presidential election will be more about the economy than abortion when pressed on his policy differences with former President Trump on the latter issue.

Graham, in an interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” said he still supports a 15-week abortion ban but is “OK” with Trump’s support for states’ rights to make their abortion policy.

“He’s our nominee. He believes the states’-rights approach is the way to go. The platform I’m OK with,” Graham said.

“We’ll continue to have this discussion, but we’re not going to win or lose based on abortion,” he continued. “We’re going to win or lose based on, can we change the policy trajectory of this country? Can we lower gas prices? Can we control the border? Can we lower your food prices?”

Asked whether he would encourage Trump to back a federal abortion ban if he is elected in November, Graham said, “I’m going to keep being me. I think most Americans are opposed to late-term abortion.”

“This is a debate worth of work of a great country to have, but this election is not going to be about abortion. It’s going to be about the economy and a world on fire. And the nightmare for Kamala Harris is to have to defend her policy choices and explain to the American people why the world is not on fire,” Graham added.

Trump came out in support of states’ rights on the issue of abortion, separating himself from some in his party who back federal restrictions on abortions.

Twenty-two states now ban or restrict abortion beyond the level set by the Roe v. Wade decision — which was overturned in 2022 and spurred a wave of anti-abortion legislation in Republican-led states.