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A high-ranking official from the National Rifle Association (NRA) stated in a recent letter that President Donald Trump has lost confidence in the organization. The official emphasized the need for the NRA to regain trust with Trump and his close advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
A high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association has stated that President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official emphasized in a recent letter to board members that the N.R.A. must regroup in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
Bill Bachenberg, the group’s initial vice president and a strong supporter of Trump, informed other board members that Trump was disappointed during this year’s election because the N.R.A. did not show more support for his campaign. Bachenberg also mentioned that Trump was surprised to learn at the group’s annual conference in May that the N.R.A. was paying millions of dollars each year to a lawyer, William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated more to Democratic candidates.
Last week, Mr. Bachenberg and Mark Vaughan, the N.R.A. board’s second vice president, wrote a letter stating that President Trump and his close advisors no longer have confidence in the N.R.A. They mentioned that they regularly communicate with them and emphasized the need to regain their trust, as well as the trust of the organization’s members and donors.
When asked for a comment, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition, gave a general response. She stated that President Trump believes that all Americans have a natural right to defend themselves and their loved ones, and he will support those who own guns and follow the law.
The letter signifies the N.R.A.’s declining power in politics. Despite being a powerful lobbying group in the past, the organization has faced setbacks due to scandals and allegations of corruption. There is now a split within the group between those loyal to former CEO Wayne LaPierre and another faction, led by Mr. Bachenberg, that seeks to distance themselves from LaPierre’s controversial reputation.
Doug Hamlin, the newly appointed CEO of the N.R.A., stated that due to the significant financial resources spent on the defense against a civil lawsuit filed by Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, the organization needed to focus its efforts strategically in the upcoming 2024 election.
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