Debate moderator praised for sharp response to Donald Trump's baby execution claims

Warning: This article contains discussion of abortion which some readers may find distressing.

Donald Trump has been outed by a debate moderator for his 'lies' when arguing why women should 'trust' him on the issue of abortion.

Yesterday evening (September 10), Donald Trump and Kamala Harris went head-to-head in the presidential debate hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

While Trump has previously suggested he may introduce a 15 to 16 week national ban on abortion, when asked about banning abortion in August he told Fox & Friends there 'will not be a federal ban' and he 'would never' enforce one, putting the issue 'now back in the states where it belongs,' as quoted by CBS News.

And at the presidential debate last night, the question was raised once again as to both candidates' stances on abortion laws.

Referring to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz - Harris' Democratic vice presidential nominee - Trump said: "[H]er vice presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine. He also says execution after birth - it's execution, no longer abortion because the baby is born, - is okay. And that's not okay with me. Hence the vote."

However, the former president of the US was quickly corrected and shut down by the debate's moderator, a member of CBS News' Confirmed Team.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris went head-to-head in the presidential debate on September 10 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Moderator Linsey Davis wasted no time hopping in to correct Trump, responding: "There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it's born."

Indeed, Governor Walz has never said that killing a baby after it's born is 'okay' and neither does the bill he signed in 2023 to ensure all of the state's existing protections - in relation to the right to abortion - remain in place for the future no matter who enters the courts.

The Minnesota Star Tribune details the changes which Governor Walz signed into law last year, explaining decisions about a baby which come in later stages of pregnancy - such as a fetal defect or risk to the mother's life - are now left up to the doctors and families opposed to the state.

Linsey Davis quickly shut down Donald Trump (CNN)

When it comes to a child being born, the updated law maintains if the baby is born alive even 'as a result of an abortion' it will be recognized as a human person and 'accorded immediate protection under the law'.

Chapter 145, section 423 of the 2023 Minnesota Statutes reads: "All reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice … Shall be taken by the responsible medical personnel to care for the infant who is born alive."

As Davis said, it is not legal in any state to execute an infant after birth and Harris also responded: "Well, as I said, you're going to hear a bunch of lies."

For help, support and advice about abortion, contact the National Abortion Hotline on 1-800-772-9100, 8am-7pm ET Monday to Friday or 8am-4pm ET Saturday to Sunday.