Former First Lady Melania Trump drew backlash after she expressed support for abortion in her upcoming memoir that will be released ahead of Election Day. Trump’s book, Melania, is scheduled to be released on Oct. 8 and details her upbringing in Slovenia, her time as a model in New York, and her marriage to former President Donald Trump. In a book excerpt released by The Guardian, Trump wrote that it is “imperative” for women to have “autonomy” when deciding about whether to have children, a common argument used to defend abortion.

“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty to her own life grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes,” Trump stated.

“Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body. I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”

Trump explained that her views on abortion come from “a core set of principles,” including “individual liberty” and “personal freedom.”

“It’s a very straightforward concept; in fact, we are all born with a set of fundamental rights, including the right to enjoy our lives,” she wrote. “We are all entitled to maintain a gratifying and dignified existence. This common-sense approach applies to a woman’s natural right to make decisions about her own body and health.”

According to The Christian Post, Trump’s comments were met with backlash from Christians and pro-life leaders.

On Wednesday, pro-life writer Jonathon Van Maren cautioned that the Republican Party will continue to evolve into a “pro-abortion party” as long as the Trump family is running it.

“Lara Trump, co-chair of the RNC, is prochoice; Eric affirmed that his father Donald has always remained pro-choice despite keeping his bargain with the pro-life movement, Van Maren wrote.

Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action, argued that the former first lady lost an opportunity to be a role model for women and said she would not buy her memoir.

“Melania Trump’s support of abortion is anti-feminist and clearly outside the teaching of our Catholic faith. She is wrong,” the pro-life leader wrote. “Abortion ends an innocent life & is the opposite of empowerment, as women are told they can’t balance the gift of children and career, so they have to pick one.”

“Christ helps us prosper at home, at school, at work, as mothers, and even as role models,” she continued.

In response to a video Trump shared online Thursday, where she doubled down on her abortion stance, Christian podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey argued that Trump’s views on abortion are “indistinguishable” from Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ position on the issue.

“I know Team Trump thinks they’re going to reel in the pro-abort girl bosses with this one, but they couldn’t be more wrong,” Stuckey wrote.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, contended in a post on X that Trump’s comments are “simply not correct.” In that same post, she stressed that her organization’s “top priority” is ensuring that Harris is “defeated” in the 2024 election.

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