Trump to speak at NRA event in Texas days after school shooting

Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’ll still speak at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Texas on Friday, days after a mass shooting at an elementary school in the state left at least 19 students and two teachers dead.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he would be keeping his “longtime commitment” to speak at the event in Houston because the country needs “real solutions and real leadership in this moment.”

Others scheduled to speak at the event include Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Kristi Noem of South Dakota as well as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Dan Crenshaw, two other prominent Republicans who were scheduled to appear, have backed out for reasons they said are unrelated to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is about 270 miles from Houston.

In a statement Wednesday, the NRA called the shooting a “horrific and evil crime” that was the work of a “lone, deranged criminal,” while confirming its annual event would go forward as planned.

“As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure,” the group wrote.

The NRA announced this month that Trump would headline “a star-studded cast of political heavyweights” at their “celebration of American freedom.” It noted that it was the sixth time he was addressing the group.

There were numerous mass shootings during Trump’s four years in office.