DALLAS — The National Rifle Association (NRA) formally endorsed former President Donald Trump at their annual convention in Dallas on Saturday. This anticipated endorsement came shortly before Trump took the stage to deliver the keynote address at the event.
In his speech, Trump portrayed President Joe Biden as a threat to gun rights, though he did not provide specific examples. Addressing a packed ballroom at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Trump emphasized the importance of preserving the Second Amendment. “We have to have a Second Amendment that is meaningful. We will have … death and destruction like we have never seen before,” Trump warned of a potential Biden re-election.
Trump aimed to energize the audience, urging gun owners to vote. “Gun owners must vote,” he declared, seeking a significant turnout for his campaign. “We want a landslide.”
Earlier in the day, Trump’s campaign launched the “Gun Owners for Trump” coalition, comprising 50 Olympic athletes and leaders from the gun industry who are backing his presidential bid. During his speech, Trump reiterated his commitment to reversing Biden administration executive orders aimed at reducing gun violence. However, he devoted much of his nearly two-hour address to discussing immigration, crime rates, and unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 election being stolen.
Everytown for Gun Safety, a leading gun control advocacy group, criticized Trump for his stance on gun safety and his meandering speech. “In between meandering rants about Al Capone, the President of France, and golf handicaps, Donald Trump once again made clear that he is all in on the NRA’s politically toxic agenda of undoing the life-saving progress we have made on gun safety under President Biden,” said John Feinblatt, the group’s president. Feinblatt emphasized the need to take Trump’s promises seriously, warning that he would do nothing to protect communities from gun violence if re-elected.
Trump also addressed the independent presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which some analysts believe could impact both major political parties in a closely contested race. A recent NBC News poll indicated that Kennedy’s candidacy might harm Trump more than Biden. While Trump led Biden by two percentage points in a direct matchup, Biden gained a two-point lead when the field included Kennedy, Jill Stein, and Cornel West.
“For some reason, he … is hurting Biden a little bit more,” Trump remarked about Kennedy’s independent run. “But we can’t waste any votes.” Trump mentioned his upcoming speech at the Libertarian Party’s national convention, aiming to attract libertarian voters who share similar views with the Republican base. “They get 3% every year no matter who is running,” Trump noted. “We can’t take a chance on Joe Biden winning.”
Trump’s campaign has been interrupted by his trial in Manhattan over allegations that he paid $130,000 in hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. He briefly touched on the trial, acknowledging a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, which he has violated 10 times, resulting in a $10,000 fine. Despite his limited campaign schedule, Trump has maintained leads in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada, according to a recent New York Times/Sienna Poll.
“We are leading in every swing state by massive numbers,” Trump claimed, referencing the New York Times poll.
The NRA itself has faced significant challenges, including a legal setback in February when it was found liable in a civil corruption trial. Former CEO Wayne LaPierre was found to have misappropriated millions of dollars for his personal luxury expenses, and the organization failed to manage its finances properly. Once a powerful fundraising entity for conservative candidates, the NRA has seen its influence and membership decline in recent years. Membership fell from nearly 6 million five years ago to 4.2 million, as reported by The New York Times. Membership dues also dropped by $14 million from 2021 to 2022, according to an audit filed in connection with the lawsuit.