He is urging members to flood the polls.
At the National Rifle Association’s annual convention in Dallas, the organization formally announced its endorsement of former President Donald Trump for his presidential campaign. Trump received the endorsement shortly before delivering the keynote address at the convention, where he portrayed President Joe Biden as a threat to gun rights without specifying particular policies.
Addressing a packed ballroom at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Trump warned of dire consequences if Biden were to win re-election, emphasizing the importance of a robust Second Amendment. He urged gun owners in the audience, predominantly politically active individuals, to turn out in large numbers to support him, declaring, “Gun owners must vote. We want a landslide.”
Prior to his appearance, Trump’s campaign unveiled the “Gun Owners for Trump” coalition, comprising 50 Olympic athletes and leaders in the gun industry who endorsed his candidacy. While Trump discussed his commitment to protecting gun rights and reversing Biden administration measures on gun violence, much of his speech focused on topics such as immigration, crime rates, and unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 election.
Criticism came from Everytown for Gun Safety, a leading gun control advocacy group, which lambasted Trump for his stance on gun safety and criticized his speech for lacking a coherent focus. John Feinblatt, the group’s president, condemned Trump’s alignment with the NRA’s agenda, asserting that his reelection would jeopardize progress in gun safety made under President Biden.
Trump also addressed the presidential candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate perceived as a potential spoiler in a closely contested race. Trump acknowledged that Kennedy’s presence in the race could impact the outcome and expressed his intention to court voters who might lean towards Kennedy during his upcoming appearance at the Libertarian Party’s national convention.
Despite legal challenges, including a trial related to allegations of hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, Trump’s campaign remains active. He cited poll data indicating leads in key swing states and highlighted his ongoing popularity among voters.
Meanwhile, the NRA has faced its own legal troubles, including a civil corruption trial that found the organization liable for financial mismanagement. Former CEO Wayne LaPierre was implicated in diverting funds for personal use, contributing to declining membership rates and diminished influence in conservative politics.
The endorsement from the NRA underscores Trump’s continued support within certain segments of the conservative base, despite ongoing legal and political challenges for both him and the organization.
