Trump says Planned Parenthood does ‘wonderful things’
Donald Trump defended the reproductive health care and abortion services provider Planned Parenthood at the Republican presidential primary debate in South Carolina Saturday, saying he believes it does “wonderful things” for women.
“It does wonderful things, but not as it relates to abortion,” Trump said, under fire from Sen. Ted Cruz. “Wonderful things that have to do with women’s health.” (Trump’s position on Planned Parenthood is somewhat unclear. He has said that he believes Planned Parenthood does good for women overall and that its non-abortion services should be funded. But he has also said he supports shutting down the government in order to stop federal funding for the group.)
Cruz accused Trump of supporting liberals for most of his life, prompting Trump to call the senator “the single biggest liar” and a “nasty guy.” The two frontrunners talked over each other and traded insults. “Why do you lie?” Trump asked repeatedly.
“Donald didn’t disagree with the substance — that he supports taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood,” Cruz retorted. “Donald has this weird pattern. When you point to his own record, he screams ‘liar.’”
Cruz warned voters that Trump would appoint liberal justices to the Supreme Court who would roll back gun rights and issue liberal rulings on abortion. “If Donald Trump is president, he will appoint liberals,” Cruz said.
(Cover tile photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
