NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has dropped out last minute as a speaker at CPAC, according to organizers.
The account of the Conservative Political Action Conference tweeted on Friday: “Very disappointed @realDonaldTrump has decided at the last minute to drop out of #CPAC — his choice sends a clear message to conservatives.”
Very disappointed @realDonaldTrump has decided at the last minute to drop out of #CPAC — his choice sends a clear message to conservatives.
— CPAC (@CPAC) March 4, 2016
In a statement, Trump’s campaign said it has decided to campaign in Kansas instead. “The Donald J. Trump for President Campaign has just announced it will be in Wichita, Kansas for a major rally on Saturday prior to Caucus. He will also be speaking at the Kansas Caucus and then departing for Orlando, Florida and a crowd of approximately 20,000 people or more.”
The campaign statement added: “Because of this, he will not be able to speak at CPAC as he has done for many consecutive years. Mr. Trump would like to thank Matt Schlapp and all of the executives at CPAC and looks forward to returning to next year, hopefully as President of the United States.”
While there are Trump supporters here, there was also word of a walk-out during Trump’s Saturday CPAC speech by critics and supporters of other candidates.