Republican's IVF Post Sparks Wave of Backlash: 'Gaslighting'

Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida is facing furious backlash after touting his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) only hours after voting against a bill that would have codified federal protections.

Senate Republicans, with the exception of moderates Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, blocked the Right to IVF Act from moving forward on Thursday. Before voting against the bill, Scott signed a letter of support for IVF alongside other Republicans but argued that the legislation was "unnecessary" and amounted to "empty fear-mongering by Democrats."

On Friday, Scott shared a 30-second campaign ad proclaiming his support for IVF to X, formerly Twitter. The Republican senator, who is up for reelection in November in a race that polls suggest could be close, wrote, "you can count on this grandpa to always protect IVF" while sharing the ad.

Scott's ad was received poorly by many, leading to an X "community note" that pointed out his vote on Thursday. An avalanche of criticism from Democrats also appeared on the platform, including an accusation that the senator was "gaslighting" the public about his IVF stance.

"Rick Scott is the definition of gaslighting," wrote lawyer and former Democratic congressional candidate Qasim Rashid. "He posts an ad about how his own daughter is using IVF and how he will always protect IVF—the day after he votes AGAINST IVF. The cruelty is the point."

"You literally just voted against protecting IVF yesterday," California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in response to Scott's post.

"Why'd you vote no on this?" asked Allison Gill, host of the Mueller, She Wrote podcast.

"You voted No on this bill, Senator," civil rights lawyer Andrew Laufer wrote. "It appears you're not being truthful."

"You voted against IVF yesterday, Senator," posted journalist Victoria Brownworth. "Did you forget? Fortunately we have the Congressional Record for members of Congress with memory issues."

"This grandpa voted against the IVF bill in the Senate literally yesterday," progressive social media personality Brian Tyler Cohen wrote.

Others on X offered their support for Scott, arguing that the senator's vote did not contradict his claim to support IVF.

"Did he vote to limit IVF or put restrictions on it?" @BenDempsey18 wrote. "If not, what's your point? His vote did not harm or hinder access in any way."

"It's a State issue!" wrote @GaryMichaelDoan.

In response to a request for comment, Scott's office pointed Newsweek an X post from the senator on Friday.

"Yes, I voted against a fear-mongering scare tactic by the Dems yesterday," Scott wrote. "I'll be introducing legislation that will actually promote IVF to go along with my resolution reaffirming my support for parents currently undergoing IVF treatment."

"These panicked attacks from Democrats are what happens when Republicans lead on important issues, but it won't scare me," he added.

Other Senate Republicans, including Ted Cruz of Texas and Katie Britt of Alabama, previously offered a competing "IVF Protection Act" this week, which was blocked by Democrats who argued that it did not go far enough to protect the practice.

A poll released on Wednesday by Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research found that Scott had only a 2 percent lead over his Democratic challenger, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Scott was leading her by 17 points in April.