Donald Trump Ditches NRA Event in Latest Cancellation

The NRA has canceled a high-profile event in Savannah, Georgia, next week, where former President Donald Trump was set to be the keynote speaker, the organization announced Thursday.
The “Defend the 2nd” event, scheduled for October 22, was called off due to a campaign scheduling conflict, according to the NRA. It’s the latest in a series of significant cancellations for the GOP nominee in recent weeks.
In a statement, the organization confirmed the news but reaffirmed its commitment to Trump’s candidacy, stating, “The NRA is committed to ensuring Donald Trump wins in November and returns to the White House.”
The cancellation comes as Trump maintains a packed schedule, with appearances planned in Pennsylvania and Georgia as part of his push to shore up support in key battleground states​.
This is the latest in a string of canceled appearances by Trump. Earlier this week, a planned interview with NBC News, which was expected to focus on the economy, was also called off. The interview was scheduled for Philadelphia, but the Trump team abruptly canceled it, with talks reportedly ongoing to reschedule.
In addition to the NBC interview, Trump has pulled out of other media appearances, including segments on CNBC’s Squawk Box and CBS News’ 60 Minutes.
His team told Politico that he couldn’t do the CNBC interview on Friday because he would be in Michigan. However, he will actually be just a few blocks from the CNBC studio that morning, appearing live on Fox & Friends.
Trump’s recent cancellations have drawn attention, with media outlets reporting on the former president’s apparent drop in energy and consistency during campaign events. Some observers pointed to a recent appearance at the Economic Club of Chicago, where Trump appeared disoriented and dodged direct questions.
This followed an earlier town hall in Pennsylvania, where Trump reportedly paused for an extended period to listen to music, leaving the audience perplexed.
Nonetheless, Trump’s supporters have largely dismissed these concerns, pointing to his packed schedule and active appearances in key states. In its statement, the NRA reiterated its support for Trump’s candidacy and his strong backing for Second Amendment rights, a key issue for many of the former president’s core supporters.
As Trump navigates the final weeks of his campaign, his ability to maintain a steady schedule in battleground states like Georgia will be crucial. While some have raised concerns about his cancellations, others argue that the former president remains as committed as ever to reclaiming the White House.
Update 10/17/24, 6:11 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.