4 examples of Dr. Mehmet Oz's evolving views on culture war issues
1. Shifting abortion views: 'Big sucking sound'
Before entering politics, Oz publicly expressed views sympathetic to abortion.
"We should not be creating obstacles during the difficult time that women have when trying to terminate a pregnancy," Oz said in 2008.
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In 2019, Oz scoffed at Alabama lawmakers after the state passed a near-total abortion ban, questioning their priorities and predicting economic fallout.
"Is this really the way they want to spend their time?" Oz said on The Breakfast Club podcast. As one of the podcast hosts likened opposition to abortion to opposing selling animal fur, Oz went on to suggest that "these moral issues, almost on purpose, are inflamed."
Oz also predicted Alabama would face a "big sucking sound of businesses leaving there" because of their abortion legislation.
He recalibrated his abortion rhetoric during his Senate run in 2022 when he began identifying as "strongly pro-life" while carving out exceptions for rape, incest or when the mother’s life is at risk. Earlier in the campaign, before securing the Republican primary, he mentioned only the life-of-the-mother exception, omitting rape and incest — a narrower position he later expanded.
Oz also opposed criminal penalties for doctors or women involved in abortions, distinguishing himself from hardline pro-life advocates.
"There should not be criminal penalties for doctors or women regarding abortion," Oz said in 2022, according to Politico.
By October 2022, Oz emphasized states' rights, arguing that abortion decisions should be left to local leaders, women and doctors independent of federal interference, an apparent nod to the post-Roe v. Wade conservative playbook.
He said there "should not be involvement from the federal government in how states decide their abortion decisions," according to CNN.
"I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that's always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves," he added.
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
