Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has caused outrage with comments about punishing women for illegal abortions.

Trump told TV network MSNBC that women who end pregnancies should face some sort of punishment if the United States made the procedure illegal.

In a clip of the interview that aired Wednesday, Trump said even if abortions are banned, some women would still find a way to access the procedure.

Trump's views on abortion have been the subject of contention among Republicans who are generally staunchly in favour of banning abortions.

In the past, Trump has said he believes in the pro-choice argument but since running for the Republican nomination for President he appears to have changed his position.

In a statement issued after the criticism surrounding his comments, Trump tried to reel back on his view saying: "This issue is unclear and should be put back into the states for determination."

Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called Trump's comments "horrific and telling."

Abortion has been legal in the United States since 1973 after a Supreme Court ruling which can only be overturned by the high court, not the President.