The National Rifle Association has officially endorsed former President Donald Trump at their annual convention in Dallas. Trump used the endorsement to criticize President Joe Biden’s stance on gun rights and encourage gun owners to vote for him in the next election. He also touched on immigration, crime rates, and baseless conspiracy theories about the 2020 election being stolen. The event also saw the launch of the “Gun Owners for Trump” coalition, consisting of 50 Olympic athletes and gun industry leaders endorsing Trump’s campaign.
Trump’s speech was criticized by gun control advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, for its lack of focus and rambling nature. They accused Trump of aligning with the NRA’s agenda of undoing gun safety progress made under President Biden. Trump also mentioned independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is seen as a potential spoiler for both major parties in the upcoming election. Despite leading Biden in a head-to-head matchup, Trump expressed concern about Kennedy potentially drawing votes away from him.
While Trump’s campaign has been mostly confined to a Manhattan courtroom recently due to a trial related to hush money allegations, he has still been holding rallies, campaign events, and fundraisers during weekends and off days. Trump has maintained leads in key swing states, according to a recent poll. The NRA, on the other hand, has faced legal setbacks including being found liable in a civil corruption trial where former CEO Wayne LaPierre was accused of diverting funds for personal use. The organization has also seen declining membership rates over the years, falling from nearly six million members to 4.2 million.
Trump has focused on emphasizing his support for gun rights in his re-election campaign, promising to roll back Biden administration executive orders on gun violence if elected. He has also targeted independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expressing concern about him potentially taking votes away from him. Despite legal challenges faced by both Trump and the NRA, Trump remains confident in his chances for re-election based on polls showing him leading in swing states. The endorsement from the NRA, along with support from the “Gun Owners for Trump” coalition, reinforces his commitment to gun rights issues in his campaign.
