JD Vance’s attempt at Trump damage control on CNN only did more damage

Donald Trump’s unpopular running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, attempted to do some damage control for his boss—and himself— Friday morning on CNN. Host John Berman kicked off the interview by asking Vance about Trump’s newest flip flop on six-week abortion bans and his sudden proposal to socialize IVF treatments. It didn’t go well.

Vance made an awkward attempt to spin Trump’s new proclamation that the six-week bans that conservatives love so much are “too short.” The GOP candidate also seemed to suggest he would be voting in favor of a Florida ballot initiative that would allow abortions to take place until “fetal viability,” which is generally around 23 weeks of pregnancy.

“Look, the president, I'm sure, will tell the American people how he's going to vote on it eventually,” Vance said. “But he wasn't making an announcement last night.” 

Berman then pointed out that Trump has been anything but consistent on the subject. 

“Of course, there was a period in Donald Trump's life where he was not anti-abortion. Then he became anti-abortion, at one point suggesting that women should be punished if they have an abortion,” Berman said. “Now he's saying he's for more than six weeks, but it's not clear how he's going to vote in an amendment in his own state. So that's why I think people are seeking clarity.”