At a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, Kamala Harris accused former President Donald Trump of stating he would “do what he wants” on issues affecting women “whether the women like it or not,” as she claimed Trump aims to restrict women’s rights.

Kamala Harris, Vice President, USA campaigning in Atlanta, USA, July 30, 2024. Photo by Phil Mistry

CNN’s Jake Tapper later fact-checked Harris’s remarks, clarifying that her interpretation of Trump’s comments lacked context.

Harris’s statements came as she addressed abortion restrictions, alleging that Trump would continue to impose limits on women’s rights. “Now in America, one in three women lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban, many with no exceptions, even for rape and incest, which is immoral,” Harris told the Phoenix crowd.

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“And Donald Trump’s not done. Did everyone hear what he just said yesterday? That he will do what he wants, quote, and here’s where I’m going to quote, ‘whether the women like it or not.’” Harris continued, claiming that Trump’s stance on women’s health was evidence of his disregard for women’s autonomy.

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In response to Harris’s statements, CNN aired a clip of Trump’s recent speech and provided the full context.

Trump’s comments addressed border security and the protection of women from criminal immigrants. “Kamala has imported criminal migrants from prisons and jails, from insane asylums and mental institutions all over the world from Venezuela to the Congo, including savage criminals who assault, rape, and murder our women and girls,” Trump said at the rally.

He added, “I’m gonna do it whether the women like it or not. I’m gonna protect them.”

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Following Harris’s rally clip, Tapper fact-checked her interpretation, stating that her comments omitted key details about Trump’s message.

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Tapper clarified that Trump’s remarks were specific to border policies and aimed at protecting women from potential crimes committed by illegal immigrants, not about controlling women’s bodies.

In the same segment, CNN political analyst Karen Finney discussed Harris’s remarks and expressed reservations about the need for complete context, suggesting Harris’s broader message still resonated with voters. “That’s not my point,” Finney stated.

“I just don’t think we need to say every update because the point is what she where she wanted to, which is we know who this guy is. This is not someone who respects women.”

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Despite the clarification, Harris doubled down on her comments on social media.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Harris reiterated her stance, sharing a video of Trump’s speech with the caption, “Donald Trump thinks he should get to make decisions about what you do with your body. Whether you like it or not.”

Harris’s statements and the subsequent fact-check have drawn reactions across the political spectrum, with critics alleging that Kamala mischaracterized Trump’s stance to support her campaign message on women’s rights.

Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks on border security and his criticism of immigration policies under the current Biden-Harris administration continue to be a focal point in his campaign as both candidates seek to define their positions on critical issues leading up to the election.

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