Trump Denies Ever Wanting to End ObamaCare Despite Past Repeal Efforts
(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In a surprising statement on TruthSocial, former President Donald Trump claimed he never sought to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, despite well-documented efforts to repeal it during his presidency. Trump’s post came Thursday in response to remarks by Vice President Kamala Harris, who suggested he intended to dismantle the healthcare law.
“Lyin’ Kamala is giving a News Conference now, saying that I want to end the Affordable Care Act. I never mentioned doing that, never even thought about such a thing,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, adding, “Everything that comes out of her mouth is a LIE. It’s MADE UP FICTION.”
However, Trump’s statement contradicts his own words and actions from his 2016 campaign and subsequent attempts as president to repeal the ACA. During a rally in Sanford, Florida, in 2016, Trump directly addressed his plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare as part of his “America First” agenda. “My first day in office, I’m going to ask Congress to put a bill on my desk getting rid of this disastrous law,” Trump promised, standing alongside a man dressed as a doctor.
He vowed to replace the ACA with reforms focused on expanding “choice, freedoms, affordability,” and promised “such great healthcare at a tiny fraction of the cost.” Trump’s push to repeal ObamaCare culminated in 2017 when a bill to dismantle the ACA passed the House but failed in the Senate. The deciding vote came from the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who famously returned to Congress just days after a brain cancer diagnosis to cast his vote against repeal, effectively blocking Trump’s efforts.
After the vote, Trump expressed frustration on Twitter (now X), writing, “3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!” The former president’s new statement on TruthSocial appears to disregard these previous efforts and remarks.
His stance is further complicated by his administration’s other actions that weakened the ACA, such as the removal of the individual mandate penalty, which effectively made the mandate unenforceable. Legal experts noted at the time that these moves represented an indirect attempt to dismantle the ACA without a full repeal.
Trump’s assertion on Thursday has sparked conversation about his current position on healthcare, with some political analysts speculating he may be attempting to appeal to a broader electorate by distancing himself from unpopular repeal efforts. The ACA remains a contentious issue in U.S. politics, but polling consistently shows that a majority of Americans support the protections it provides, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions.
As Trump navigates his campaign for a potential second term, his statement on ObamaCare raises questions about how he intends to approach healthcare policy moving forward. While his post on TruthSocial may be an attempt to reframe his position, past statements, and actions illustrate his administration’s dedicated efforts to undo the ACA, making his current denial notable for its contrast with the historical record.
