Donald Trump has decided to skip a campaign event in South Carolina on Friday, citing a “significant business transaction.”
“Mr. Trump has a significant business transaction that was expected to close Thursday,” the Trump campaign said in a statement. “Due to the delay, he is unable to attend today’s Heritage Action Presidential Forum. He sends his regrets and looks forward to being with the great people of South Carolina on Wednesday in Columbia.”
While the Trump campaign would not provide more detail about the business transaction, campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks told the Washington Examiner that details of the transaction will be made public next week.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, one of ten other GOP presidential candidates scheduled to appear, tweeted a barb at Trump’s decision to skip the event. “Sorry to see @realDonaldTrump cancel on event today w/ Sen DeMint & Gov Haley. Filing for bankruptcy again? Perhaps 5th time is the charm…”
The Friday afternoon event will be moderated by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Heritage Foundation president Jim Demint who is also a former senator from the Palmetto State, and Heritage Action CEO Mike Needham.
Dan Holler, a spokesman for Heritage Action for America, called Trump’s last minute cancellation “unfortunate.”
“Tonight’s event is about the thousands of voters who are coming to listen to a substantive policy discussion. It will be a great opportunity to talk about policy issues and address the concerns facing all Americans. That’s unfortunate that Mr. Trump is unable to attend.”
In addition to Jindal, nine other GOP presidential candidates will attend the Heritage Action Presidential Forum in Greeneville , including Ben Carson, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
