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An official from the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) stated in a recent letter that President Donald J. Trump has lost confidence in the organization. The letter emphasized the need for the N.R.A. to regain trust with Trump and his close advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
According to a high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association, President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official sent a letter to other board members suggesting that the N.R.A. should regroup in order to support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
During a meeting with fellow board members, Bill Bachenberg, the first vice president of the group and a strong supporter of Trump, mentioned that Trump was disappointed that the N.R.A. did not do more to support him during the election. Bachenberg also wrote that Trump was surprised to learn that the N.R.A. was paying millions of dollars annually to a lawyer, William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated to Democratic candidates. This conversation took place at the group’s annual conference in May.
Mr. Bachenberg expressed in a recent letter, co-signed by Mark Vaughan, that President Trump and his closest advisors no longer trust the N.R.A. He mentioned that he frequently communicates with them and that it will take a lot of effort to regain their trust, as well as that of the organization’s members and donors.
When questioned for a response, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition, provided a general statement. She mentioned that President Trump supports the idea that every American has a natural right to protect themselves and their loved ones. He is committed to defending gun owners who follow the law.
The recent letter shows that the N.R.A. is not as politically powerful as it used to be. It has faced a series of scandals and accusations of corruption that have weakened its influence in Washington. The organization is now split between those who support its former CEO Wayne LaPierre and another group, led by Mr. Bachenberg, who want to distance themselves from LaPierre’s controversial past.
According to Doug Hamlin, the new leader of the N.R.A., the organization had to focus its efforts on the 2024 election due to the significant expenses incurred in defending itself against a legal case brought by Letitia James, the attorney general of New York.
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