Harris says Trump's comments about women were 'very offensive' | Al Jazeera News

Vice President attacks former president after saying he will “protect women whether they want to or not.”

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris says Donald Trump doesn't understand women when he talks about protecting them “whether they like it or not.”

Harris said the former president did not understand women's right to “make decisions about their own lives, including their own bodies.”

“I think it's offensive to everyone, by the way,” Harris said before heading out to campaign in the western battlegrounds of Arizona and Nevada.

Harris has made reproductive freedom a central part of her campaign. Many of their rallies featured stories of women who suffered or even died because of a lack of access to therapeutic abortions due to a patchwork of state laws.

Trump appointed three of the U.S. Supreme Court justices who formed the conservative majority that struck down federal abortion rights in June 2022.

“I will protect her”

As the fallout continues to unfold, Trump has said at public events that he will “protect women” and make sure they don't “think about abortion” and that he will protect them from “criminals.”

He repeated such comments at a rally Wednesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, telling supporters that his aides had repeatedly told him to stop using the phrase because it was inappropriate.

He said he told his aides, “Well, I'm going to do it whether the women like it or not.” I will protect her.”

Harris has claimed that this is part of a trend with Trump.

“This is just the latest in a long series of revelations from the former president about how he thinks about women and their agency,” she said.

The back-and-forth was part of heated arguments between Democrats and Republicans five days before the Nov. 5 election.

On Thursday, billionaire Harris supporter Mark Cuban told the hosts on ABC News' “The View,” “Donald Trump, you never see him around strong, intelligent women.” It's that simple. They do him Fear.”

Cuban's remark drew a quick response from Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, who said he had “insinuated that female Trump supporters are weak and stupid.”

A problem that Republicans are struggling with

Trump and Republicans are having a hard time talking about abortion rights, especially as women across the country struggle to get adequate medical care because of abortion restrictions.

Trump has given conflicting answers about his position on abortion, but in recent weeks he has vowed to veto a nationwide abortion ban after previously rejecting it.

The Harris campaign is focused on making reproductive rights a major motivator for women to vote, inviting prominent figures like Beyoncé and Michelle Obama, among others, to headline rallies to talk about reproductive freedom.

According to the analysis company TargetSmart, 1.2 million more women than men voted in early voting in the seven battleground states.