“You Knew What He Did”: The Lincoln Project Ad Targets Trump’s Record on Reproductive Rights

The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group led by former Republican operatives, has released a powerful new ad focusing on Donald Trump’s record on reproductive rights. The ad is designed to appeal to men with daughters, as both presidential campaigns vie for a crucial demographic—women voters—ahead of the upcoming election.

The two-minute video, described by the group as a modern take on Lyndon B. Johnson’s iconic 1964 Daisy ad, opens with a young woman in distress, lying in a hospital bed. She pleads with her father, urging him to reconsider his support for Trump. “It didn’t need to end this way, Dad,” the female narrator says, as the screen cuts to clips of Trump boasting about his Supreme Court appointments that led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The ad’s narrative takes an emotional turn as the woman continues, “You knew what he did. You knew his politics would end my freedom, my rights, my life. You chose hate over me.” These statements are aimed directly at viewers, particularly fathers, highlighting the consequences of Trump’s policies on their daughters’ lives and rights.

The release of the ad comes at a time when Trump is attempting to navigate the divide between his strong anti-abortion base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights, as reported by NJ.com. The ad’s creators aim to underscore the stakes involved in this issue and challenge voters to reflect on their choices.

Lincoln Project chief of staff Ryan Wiggins emphasized the urgency of the message in a statement accompanying the ad. “This is not hyperbole; women are dying,” Wiggins stated. “How could you tell your daughter you love her and will have her back always and then cast a vote for Trump and Project 2025?”

The ad seeks to stir emotions and bring attention to the real-life implications of Trump’s stance on abortion, positioning it as a personal issue that extends beyond political affiliations. By targeting men with daughters, the Lincoln Project hopes to influence a critical voting bloc and sway those who may be undecided or conflicted about supporting Trump in the upcoming election.