"Millions and millions of women" are aided by Planned Parenthood, Donald Trump said Thursday night, in a statement that bucks Republican party orthodoxy. But, Trump added, he would still push to defund the organization.
"You can say whatever you want, but they have millions of women going through Planned Parenthood that are helped greatly," Trump said.
Donald Tump supports most efforts of @PPact, will still defund it pic.twitter.com/pDjMtWSRKy— Mashable News (@MashableNews) February 26, 2016
The billionaire businessman added that he would "defund it because of the abortion factor."
"I don't know what percentage it is...but I would defund it because I am pro-life. But millions of people are helped by Planned Parenthood," he said.
According to Planned Parenthood, 3 percent of all its health services are abortion services.
Republicans on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail have vowed to strip the women's health provider of federal funding, and have accused Planned Parenthood of profiting from the sale of aborted fetuses for medical research.
#GOPDebate candidates all pledge to cut access to care at PP like they should be proud to cut millions from health care. #NotMyCandidate— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) February 26, 2016
Democrats say Planned Parenthood provides critical health care services to women and that Republicans are launching baseless attacks on the organization, in an effort to limit the reproductive choices of women.