False claims about “post-birth” abortions persist

In a recent news interview, former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Roe v. Wade allowed for abortions “after birth.” Both before and after Roe v. Wade was overturned, no state allowed abortions after birth. A recently trending social media post from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene also made false claims that infants had been “born alive and then murdered” at an abortion clinic. Both of these incidents led to an uptick in continued false claims online about “post-birth” abortions, fetal organ harvesting, and abortion laws.

Recommendation: These types of false claims may cause confusion about abortion laws. Debunking messaging may emphasize that no state has ever permitted abortions after birth. Additionally, abortions at or after 21 weeks represent only 1 percent of all abortions in the U.S., and these types of abortions typically occur when there are serious medical concerns, as well as barriers that delay a pregnant person’s ability to obtain an abortion. Staying up to date on trending narratives and preparing for questions about abortion laws in your state is recommended. For more information about abortion gestational limits, check out this fact sheet.