Trump and Pence expected to speak at NRA event, likely their first meeting after two years
The two Republicans last headlined the annual NRA convention in 2019
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump and Mike Pence are scheduled to speak at the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Indianapolis in April, putting the former president and his vice president into the same room likely after two years.
Mr Pence has been vocal in recent times in his criticism about his former boss, who has lashed out as well. The ex-vice president is expected to officially challenge Mr Trump and throw his hat in the ring for the 2024 presidential elections.
One of the last reported meetings between the two Republicans had taken place in January 2021, almost a week after the Capitol riots where a pro-Trump mob had chanted “Hang Mike Pence!” That meeting had reportedly lasted for 90 minutes.
The NRA leadership forum could now put the two Republicans in the same room after almost two years.
Both of them are listed as confirmed speakers by the NRA for its 14 April event, but it has not been confirmed if the estranged Republicans will share the stage together or actually meet.
The two will be joined by a number of other Republican speakers at the event, including New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu, senator Mike Braun, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson.
The event could become the second time Mr Trump and Mr Pence headline an NRA convention in Indianapolis. They had previously headlined the event in the state in 2019.
The meeting comes on the heels of the school shooting in Nashville that killed three nine-year-old students and three school staff.
Mr Pence served as Mr Trump’s vice president for four years, but later earned his former boss’s scorn for not working to overturn the 2020 presidential election results while presiding over the certification of the election.
The rivalry between the two has intensified as the Jan 6 House Committee launched an investigation into Mr Trump’s role in the riots and Mr Pence released his memoir giving a first-hand extensive account of his exchanges with his former boss after the election and during the riots blaming him.
“You’re too honest,” Mr Pence recalled Mr Trump as telling him in early January 2021. “Hundreds of thousands are gonna hate your guts... People are gonna think you’re stupid.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments