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A vice president of the NRA has written a letter stating that Donald J. Trump has lost trust in the organization. The letter emphasizes the need for the NRA to work on rebuilding trust with Trump and his close advisors.
Written by Danny Hakim
A high-ranking official at the National Rifle Association stated that President-elect Donald J. Trump no longer has confidence in the organization. The official mentioned in a letter to board members that the N.R.A. should regroup to ensure it can support the Republican Party’s advantage in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections.
At a recent board meeting, Bill Bachenberg, the group’s first vice president and a strong supporter of Trump, mentioned that Trump was disappointed that the NRA did not show more support for him during the election. Bachenberg also noted that Trump was surprised to learn that the NRA was paying millions of dollars annually to lawyer William A. Brewer III, who has historically donated more to Democratic candidates. This conversation took place at the NRA’s annual conference in May.
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 closest advisors no longer have confidence in the N.R.A. They mentioned that they frequently communicate with them and acknowledge the need to regain their trust, as well as that of 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 protect themselves and their families, and he will support gun owners who follow the law.
The letter shows that the N.R.A.’s political power has decreased. It was once a powerful lobbying group in Washington but has faced scandals and corruption accusations, causing internal divisions. Some members support the former CEO Wayne LaPierre, while others, like Mr. Bachenberg, want to distance themselves from LaPierre’s controversial past.
Doug Hamlin, the newly appointed CEO of the N.R.A., mentioned in a statement that due to the organization’s significant expenses in defending itself against a lawsuit filed by Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, they needed to be selective in their approach for the 2024 election.
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