Trump’s favorite policy position: Check back later

Former President Donald Trump has a history of kicking the can down the road when pressed to clarify his stances on significant policy issues — and this week, the habit made news his campaign didn't want.

Trump seemed to signal an openness to restrictions on birth control during an interview with KDKA-TV of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, saying "we're looking at that" and promising a policy announcement in the near future. Trump had to clean up the comments later on his social media feed.

The former president also in late April promised a policy position in "the next week or two” about the use of the abortion pill mifepristone. It hasn't come yet.

Trump’s penchant for evading specific policy stances stretches beyond reproductive health policies, however. It has been a common thread running through his campaigns and presidency, dating back to his first run for the White House more than eight years ago.

Presidential candidates often obfuscate when hit with difficult, politically risky or complicated matters on the trail. But Trump’s punting tactic is unusual. Here are some examples of those answers.

When asked if he supports restrictions on access to contraceptives

May 21, 2024:“I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly.”

The former president was asked if he would support restrictions when it comes to contraceptives in the KDKA-TV interview on Tuesday, one in a string of local media interviews Trump has done recently.

“We’re looking at that, and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly, and I think it’s something you’ll find interesting,” Trump said. “I think it’s a smart decision. We’ll be releasing it very soon.”

Asked whether that means he may want to support some restrictions, Trump said, “You know, also, things