Podcast Summary: What A Day – "Abortion Access In Trump's America 2.0"

Podcast Information:

• Title: What A Day
• Host: Jane Coston
• Episode: Abortion Access In Trump's America 2.0
• Release Date: May 27, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of What A Day, hosted by Jane Coston, the focus centers on reproductive rights in the United States amidst the evolving political landscape under President Donald Trump's administration. Jane sets the stage by highlighting recent political maneuvers and conflicts, particularly emphasizing efforts by the Republican Party to restrict abortion access through legislative and judicial means.

2. Reproductive Rights and the Battle Over Mifepristone

[00:02] Jane Coston introduces the day's primary topic: the ongoing struggle over abortion access, specifically targeting the use of mifepristone, a medication approved by the FDA to terminate early-stage pregnancies.

• RFK Jr.'s Request to the FDA:

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary, has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to re-examine its approval of mifepristone. This request stems from a report by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), a conservative think tank, titled "The Abortion Pill Harms Women". The EPPC claims that adverse events from mifepristone are 22 times more likely than currently recognized by the FDA.

• Political Pushback:

  • Missouri Senator Josh Hawley questioned RFK Jr. during a Senate health hearing:

    "Don't you think that this new data shows that the need to do a review is in fact very pressing? And it's alarming. And clearly it indicates that at very least the label should be changed." [03:15]

  • Jane counters by noting the EPPC report was neither peer-reviewed nor published in a reputable scientific journal, contradicting over 100 peer-reviewed studies that affirm the safety of mifepristone. She humorously suggests that even if mifepristone had ludicrous side effects like making hair grow faster, the EPPC would still oppose it due to their ideological stance.

• Legal Actions:

  • Three red states—Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri—have filed a lawsuit against the FDA, aiming to prohibit telehealth access to mifepristone. This drug represents over 60% of all abortions in the U.S. since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
  • The lawsuit was initially filed in a Texas district court, a strategic choice since Judge Matthew Kaczmarek is known for his anti-abortion stance. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested the judge to dismiss the case due to inappropriate venue selection.

3. Interview with Jessica Valenti on Reproductive Rights

To provide deeper insights, Jane interviews Jessica Valenti, author of "Our Bodies, Their Lives, and the Truths We Use to Win", discussing the implications of current legislative actions on reproductive rights.

• Adriana Smith's Case in Georgia:

  [03:30] Jessica shares a poignant case from Georgia:

  "Georgia has an abortion ban and Adriana Smith's family was told that because she was pregnant when she was declared brain dead and she was just nine weeks that they wouldn't be able to let her go. So essentially this is a woman who's being forcibly kept alive against her family's wishes because of the state's abortion ban."

  • This case has ignited national and international outrage, highlighting the human cost of stringent abortion laws.

• Anti-Abortion Group Responses:

  [04:34] Jessica observes varied reactions from anti-abortion factions:

  "Some groups have remained just completely silent on the case... Others are trying to shirk responsibility... It really shows that they understand just how incredibly unpopular something like this is and how horrified voters are."

  • This indicates a disconnect between the anti-abortion movement's strategies and public sentiment.

• Fetal Personhood Laws:

  [05:26] Jessica explains the broader legal landscape:

  "Pretty much every anti-abortion state has some sort of attempt to get fetal personhood on the books... In Kansas, they want child support to start at conception... It has nothing to do with child support. It has to do with codifying fetal personhood."

  • These laws attempt to grant legal personhood to fetuses, severely restricting abortion and other reproductive rights.

• Telehealth Access to Mifepristone:

  [06:50] The significance of telehealth is emphasized:

  "Telehealth is sort of the finger in the dam of access... Argentina have been really, really pissed off about this... They are trying to paint this picture of a dangerous abortion drug..."

  • Telehealth access allows individuals in restrictive states to obtain abortion pills from more permissive regions, thereby circumventing state bans.

• Post-Roe Era Dynamics:

  [08:54] Jessica reflects on the post-Roe landscape:

  "They have been throwing everything they can at the wall... They are doing every single possible thing... to further restrict any sort of reproductive healthcare like birth control, like IVF."

  • The anti-abortion movement is expanding its legislative agenda beyond abortion to other reproductive health services.

• Public Backlash and Political Implications:

  [10:38] Discussing political strategies:

  "They were surprised by the backlash against bans... Trump really understands that... They're framing it... as just about women's safety."

  • The Trump administration is navigating political backlash by reframing the narrative around abortion restrictions.

• Strategies for Democrats:

  [11:42] Jessica advises Democrats on addressing the issue:

  "They need to let go of the restore Roe language... We have an opportunity... support doctors, and we think that people, pregnant people and their families are the best folks to decide what happens to them and their bodies."

  • A proactive and affirming approach is recommended, focusing on supporting reproductive autonomy without solely relying on the restore Roe narrative.

4. The Anti-Abortion Movement and Political Dynamics

Jane delves into the organizational strength of the anti-abortion movement, highlighting its extensive lobbying and legislative efforts aimed at entrenching abortion restrictions.

• Republican Support and Public Opinion:

  [09:49] Jane contrasts Republican legislative efforts with public opinion:

  "Most Americans approve of legal abortion. According to a Pew study... and I'm pretty sure those numbers have gone up since Dobbs."

  • Despite strong voter support for abortion rights, Republican legislators continue to push for restrictive measures, possibly overestimating their support base.

• Trump's Position:

  [10:38] The administration's stance is nuanced:

  "The Trump administration is trying to sort of distance themselves... selling it to the press as about women's safety."

  • This strategic distancing seeks to mitigate backlash while advancing restrictive policies.

5. Other News Segments

Beyond reproductive rights, the episode covers a range of current events and political developments:

• Republican Tax and Spending Plan Controversy:

  [16:15] President Trump supports a new spending bill despite moderate cuts:

  "I support spending cuts... the cuts currently in the bill are wimpy and anemic... the math doesn't add up." [16:10]

  • Senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson express concerns over the bill's fiscal impact, potentially impeding its passage despite House approval by a single vote.

• Russia's Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine:

  [17:46] Russia launched a significant aerial assault on Ukraine, totaling around 900 drones over three days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the actions, citing a sense of Russian impunity.

• Trump's Remarks on Putin and Tariffs:

  [19:43] President Trump's frustration with Vladimir Putin:

  "I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people... he's sending rockets into cities and killing people." [19:43]

  • Later, Trump delays a 50% tariff on EU imports after a request from Ursula von der Leyen, only to simultaneously threaten hefty tariffs on non-US-manufactured iPhones and Samsung products. This move follows Apple CEO Tim Cook’s investment in India and represents a strategic trade maneuver by Trump.

• Harvard's Student Visa Issues:

  [21:08] Trump proposes reallocating $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard to trade schools, amidst Harvard's lawsuit against the administration's attempts to end the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. This action adversely affects 7,000 visa holders, leading to legal battles over retaliatory and unconstitutional measures.

6. Conclusion

Jane Coston wraps up the episode by recapping the intense political battles surrounding reproductive rights and broader geopolitical tensions. She underscores the persistent efforts by the anti-abortion movement to entrench restrictive laws, while highlighting the challenges faced by Democrats in countering these measures amidst public support for abortion rights. The episode also touches upon international conflicts and domestic policy struggles, painting a comprehensive picture of the current socio-political climate in the United States.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Josh Hawley on mifepristone review:

  "Don't you think that this new data shows that the need to do a review is in fact very pressing? And it's alarming. And clearly it indicates that at very least the label should be changed." [03:15]

• Jessica Valenti on Adriana Smith's case:

  "Essentially this is a woman who's being forcibly kept alive against her family's wishes because of the state's abortion ban." [03:30]

• President Trump on tariffs:

  "I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people, and I don't know what the hell happened to Putin." [19:43]

This episode of What A Day provides a thorough exploration of the current state of reproductive rights in the U.S., the strategic maneuvers by political factions, and the broader implications for American society and its political future. Through insightful interviews and comprehensive analysis, Jane Coston offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between legislation, public opinion, and individual rights.