Trump abruptly cancels appearance at Penn State football game

In a surprise announcement, Donald Trump's campaign said the former president had canceled his appearance at a high-profile football game in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

The Columbus-Dispatch reported Wednesday that Trump had abruptly decided not to attend Penn State's game against Ohio State.

"The University has been notified that former President Donald Trump will no longer be attending the Ohio State-Penn State football game," the university said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Penn State had previously confirmed that "a private citizen" had invited Trump to attend the game at Beaver Stadium.

The only other Saturday event on Trump's public schedule was a 4 p.m. rally in Salem, Virginia.

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The cancellation comes less than a week before election day.

"Pennsylvania looms as perhaps the most important state in what's widely projected as a coin-flip election between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Of the seven most closely contested swing states, Pennsylvania has the most electoral votes, with 19," the Dispatch noted.