'They really are hiding him': Trump mocked after backing out of NRA speech

In addition to backing out of multiple interviews with mainstream media outlets in recent weeks, it was revealed on Thursday that former President Donald Trump has canceled a planned address in front of the National Rifle Association that was to have taken place in Savannah, Georgia.

As the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, the announcement of the cancelation came just five days before the event was to have taken place, with Trump's campaign team citing a "scheduling conflict" as the reason.

This came after Trump, in just the last month, abruptly canceled interviews with CBS News' "60 Minutes," as well as with CNBC and NBC.

Many of the former president's critics were quick to ridicule him for seeming to limit his public exposure with just weeks to go before the 2024 presidential election.

"Trump can't even appear before the NRA anymore," marveled Dante Atkins, an expert in campaign management. "They really are hiding him."

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"Donald Trump has canceled yet another campaign appearance," observed influencer Art Candee. "Trump bailed on the NRA for their “Defend the 2nd” event with Donald set as their keynote speaker in Savannah, Georgia next week. This comes after it was announced today that he canceled an appearance on NBC. What is he hiding?"

"After backing out of interviews at MSNBC, NBC, and 60 Minutes, all with minimal to no notice, Trump has now backed out of the NRA’s 'Defend the 2nd' event," wrote substance abuse counselor John O'Connell. "He's declining fast, his team know it, and they're trying (and failing) to hide it."

Political scientist David Darmofal made a similar observation.

"Trump’s decline is so severe he’s not even appearing before an adoring NRA crowd," he wrote.

Gun safety advocate Max Steele, on the other hand, took the occasion to ridicule the NRA.

"NRA's week thus far: — international headlines detailing how their new leader committed a truly horrific act of animal cruelty — More than a dozen employees call for his resignation in a letter that leaks — Trump bails on their event next week," he wrote.