Trump advocate calls surrogacy ‘evil’ and says anyone involved ‘should be imprisoned for life’
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Investigative Report: Daily Wire Host Calls for Life Imprisonment for Surrogacy Participants
On April 5, 2024, Daily Wire host Michael Knowles made a shocking statement on his show, advocating for severe punishment for individuals involved in surrogacy. Knowles, known for his staunch support of Donald Trump, expressed his views on surrogacy, labeling it as “grave, grave child abuse.” The Daily Wire, a conservative news website founded by Ben Shapiro in 2015, provided the platform for Knowles to voice his controversial opinions.
In a video clip shared on Twitter by the Biden-Harris HQ, Knowles condemned surrogacy, stating that “everyone involved is gravely, gravely evil,” including the egg donor and the individuals purchasing the child. He went on to assert that “every single adult involved in this should be imprisoned for life, at least,” suggesting that the death penalty should also be considered as a punishment.
Meidas Touch Network, a media organization, shared the clip and highlighted Knowles’ consistent stance against reproductive freedom. They linked his extreme views on surrogacy to Project 2025, a plan associated with Donald Trump and the Republican Party to restrict reproductive rights if Trump were to win the 2024 election.
Surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries a baby for a couple who are unable to conceive. It is often utilized by same-sex couples and heterosexual couples facing fertility issues. However, right-wing critics have increasingly targeted surrogacy, particularly commercial surrogacy arrangements where the surrogate is compensated financially.
In recent years, there have been legal battles surrounding surrogacy, with gay couples facing discrimination and exploitation. In July 2023, a Canadian gay couple successfully sued a right-wing Italian populist party for using their newborn baby’s photo in an anti-LGBTQ+ campaign against surrogacy for same-sex parents.
The controversy surrounding surrogacy extended to religious institutions as well. In January 2024, Pope Francis called for a worldwide ban on surrogate pregnancies, labeling the practice as “deplorable” and a violation of women’s and children’s dignity. He criticized surrogacy as exploitative and inhumane, referring to it as “uterus for rent.”
Commercial surrogacy contracts, where the surrogate is compensated, are banned in several countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. Critics argue that such agreements exploit women and children, treating them as commodities.
Project 2025, also known as the Presidential Transition Project, was developed by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, to reinforce far-right values within the GOP. The project aims to empower the next Republican president to curtail civil rights protections for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and minority communities through executive actions.
Project 2025’s strategies include dismantling agencies responsible for enforcing civil rights laws and appointing right-wing ideologues in key government positions. Critics argue that the project threatens reproductive rights, gender equality initiatives, and LGBTQ+ rights.
As debates around surrogacy continue to escalate, with voices from both sides expressing strong opinions, the future of reproductive rights and family planning remains uncertain. The clash between traditional values and progressive ideologies underscores the complexity of ethical and legal considerations surrounding assisted reproduction methods like surrogacy.
In conclusion, the contentious debate over surrogacy reflects broader societal divides on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and conservative agendas like Project 2025. As advocates and opponents continue to clash over fundamental principles of autonomy and morality, the future of surrogacy and reproductive freedoms remains uncertain in the face of political and ideological tensions.
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