Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump will no longer participate in the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Trump was slated to speak to the general session Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time from the Potomac Ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., just outside of Washington, D.C.
In an emailed statement, however, Trump’s campaign said the candidate will be in Kansas for a rally on Saturday, and will then leave for a rally in Orlando, Fla., where 20,000 people “or more” are expected.
Very disappointed @realDonaldTrump has decided at the last minute to drop out of #CPAC — his choice sends a clear message to conservatives.
— CPAC 2018 (@CPAC) March 4, 2016
“Because of this, he will not be able to speak at CPAC as he has done for many consecutive years,” the statement said. “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.”
All three of Trump’s GOP rivals — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (4 p.m. Friday), Ohio Gov. John Kasich (1:15 p.m. Friday) and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (11:35 a.m. Saturday) — are all still scheduled to speak to CPAC attendees.
CPAC is the largest conservative convention in the United States.
