Melania Trump takes swipe at Donald in new book before election saying 'timing matters'

Despite being married to Donald Trump for nearly 20 years, Melania makes a dig at the former US president in her new book called A Memoir, due for release next week

Melania Trump skewers husband Donald in her new book as she defends the right to abortion later in the pregnancy.

The former first lady of the US expresses her views on abortion in A Memoir, due for release next week, but admits they differ hugely from those of her husband and his party.

Mr Trump, 78, earlier this year stated abortion policy should be left up to states. However, his wife states in her memoir she believes women everywhere have "a natural right to make decisions about their own body and health". The former fashion model, who married her husband in 2005, also defends the right to abortion later in pregnancy.

In a jarring swipe at Donald, Mrs Trump writes: "It is important to note that historically, most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child.

"Perhaps even the death of the mother. These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor. As a community, we should embrace these common-sense standards. Again, timing matters."

More than 90% of abortions in the US occur at or before 13 weeks of gestation, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Less than 1% of abortions take place at or after 21 weeks.

The issue has been a large part of the debates in the US, ahead of the presidential election next month. Debating Kamala Harris, Mr Trump falsely said his Democratic opponent’s "vice-presidential pick … says that abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine."

Writing in A Memoir, Mrs Trump adds: "Many women opt for abortions due to personal medical concerns. These situations with significant moral implications weigh heavily on the woman and her family and deserve our empathy. Consider, for example, the complexity inherent in the decision of whether the mother should risk her own life to give birth."