Trump Supporters Attack Feminist Icon’s Legacy by Claiming Shared Abortion Views: ‘Great Minds Think Alike’

In a recent effort to reassure the electorate that Trump does not embody the traits of a dangerous authoritarian, his Republican allies are trying to draw comparisons between the former president and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was a passionate champion of women’s rights.

This misguided tactic sharply distorts the viewpoints of the late justice, likely causing her to turn in her grave.

The recently established RBG PAC suggests a shared stance on abortion rights between Trump and Ginsburg. The site poses the question, “Why might Ruth Bader Ginsburg align with Donald Trump’s views regarding abortion?” It claims, “RBG believed that federal legislation should not govern abortion laws, a position that Trump also holds.”

Under a “great minds think alike” theme, the site shares previous media narratives highlighting Ginsburg’s critiques of Roe v. Wade, the pivotal Supreme Court ruling that affirmed women’s rights to abortion, which was regrettably relinquished in 2022. However, these headlines lack essential context, a striking omission considering the subject.

Indeed, Ginsburg expressed criticism toward the Roe v. Wade verdict, but it wasn’t for ideological reasons. Instead, she took issue with how the legal arguments were framed, asserting that such framing (which revolved around privacy rights) could jeopardize the ruling. Ginsburg maintained that advocating for equal protection would have better fortified women’s rights, as reported in this BBC article.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, injury, healing, ribs, supreme court — (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Ginsburg’s foresight proved accurate, as her critique of the Roe framework indeed influenced how the conservative court eventually overturned the ruling. In the majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito stated, “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion,” transferring authority back to state governments.

The RBG PAC boldly asserts that Trump and Ginsburg share similar stances, omitting the essential reasoning behind Ginsburg’s critique. She only opposed Roe because it lacked an effective design to safeguard abortion rights universally. Ginsburg believed in the intrinsic right to bodily autonomy for all women, contrasting sharply with Trump’s perspective that suggests, ‘that’s not my concern, you handle it yourselves.’

Moreover, Ginsburg was an outspoken critic of Trump, which makes it particularly aggravating to witness Trump supporters misrepresent her views posthumously. During the 2016 election, RBG infamously remarked that he was a “faker” and expressed concern over “what the country would be like with Donald Trump as our president,” as reported by The New York Times.

Ginsburg later expressed regret for her comments, stating that “Judges should avoid commenting on a candidate for public office.” However, this likely stemmed from her respect for the principle of judicial impartiality—a value she held throughout her career. RBG’s true sentiments were revealed in her final remarks

“My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” Ginsburg implored. Republicans dismissed this heartfelt plea, choosing instead to expedite the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, who later voted to reverse Roe.

Ginsburg’s legacy is multifaceted. Had she stepped down while Barack Obama was president, he could have appointed a more progressive justice to fill her seat. While it’s understandable to feel frustration regarding RBG’s choice to remain on the court despite her declining health, we should not overlook her lifetime commitment to advocating for women’s rights. Justice Ginsburg and her enduring legacy deserve far better than being misrepresented by Trump’s supporters.

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