Trump meets NRA leader to ‘ask for financial support as he faces potential impeachment’

Trump meets with NRA leader Wayne LaPierre to ‘ask for financial support as he faces potential impeachment’ but the CEO said he will only help if the president ‘stops the games’ over gun control

  • Trump met with NRA CEO LaPierre in the White House on Friday
  • It’s claimed he asked for support during the impeachment inquiry and election
  • The NRA allegedly asked him to ‘stop the games’ over gun control regulation
  • Trump’s talk about gun reform measures changed to ‘mental health issues’
  • It’s alleged that the NRA was near bankruptcy from investigations and more 

Donald Trump has met with the National Rifle Association CEO where it was claimed he asked them for support as he faces impeachment proceedings and reelection.

The President spoke with Wayne LaPierre at the White House on Friday where they allegedly bartered over endorsement and financial pledges along with gun control.

LaPierre was claimed to have asked Trump to ‘stop the games’ about gun control legislation, The New York Times reported.

A NRA spokesperson has claimed the source who spoke to the Times, gave them an ‘inaccurate’ account of the meeting.

They stated: ‘The N.R.A. categorically denies any discussion occurred about special arrangements pertaining to the N.R.A.’s support of the President and vice versa.’

It has been alleged that Trump (above) asked LaPierre for support during the impeachment inquiry and also the re-election campaign, meanwhile the NRA are claimed to want him to 'stop the games' on tighter gun control

NRA CEO Wayne LePierre (left) visited the White House on Friday for a meeting with President Donald Trump (right). It has been alleged that Trump asked LaPierre for support during the impeachment inquiry and also the re-election campaign, meanwhile the NRA are claimed to want him to ‘stop the games’ on tighter gun control 

Gun reform has been at the forefront of many people's minds following the March for our Lives protest (above) and more recent after two mass shooting in one weekend in Ohio and Texas

Gun reform has been at the forefront of many people’s minds following the March for our Lives protest (above) and more recent after two mass shooting in one weekend in Ohio and Texas

LaPierre is believed to be trying to influence the White House’s next steps on gun legislation after the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.

They allegedly have tried to lead Trump away from some of the measures he spoke about after the killings, which included stricter background checks.

The Times claim that NRA messages have since appeared in several of Trump’s speeches when discussing gun control more recently and appeared to diminish the need for change.

Trump said last month: ‘We have very, very strong background checks right now, but we have sort of missing areas and areas that don’t complete the whole circle. I have to tell you that it’s a mental problem.’

It’s claimed that Trump has quizzed his aides over the NRA’s ability to support him for his 2020 reelection campaign.

In 2016 they were able to invest more than $30 million in campaign but more recently it’s believed the group could be facing bankruptcy as well as being less capable of providing the same level of influence at a time when gun control is on the minds of the public.

The group’s finances could also be strained after investigations from attorneys in New York, Washington D.C. along with inquiries over Russian ties.

Additionally the NRA contended with leaks about lavish spending and a revolt against the leader from several donors. 

During the midterms, the NRA were outspent by gun control groups.

Despite this, the group still has considerable resources and more than five million members, some of whom Trump believes he can convert into ballot votes.

Trump is believed to have doubts about the amount of sway LaPierre (right) and the NRA may have in an era where gun reform is at the forefront of many people's minds in addition to their alleged financial situation. Pictured in 2007, when they met inside the White House

Trump is believed to have doubts about the amount of sway LaPierre (right) and the NRA may have in an era where gun reform is at the forefront of many people’s minds in addition to their alleged financial situation. Pictured in 2007, when they met inside the White House

Trump's meeting with LaPierre comes just days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (above)  launched an impeachment inquiry into the President

Trump’s meeting with LaPierre comes just days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (above)  launched an impeachment inquiry into the President

Despite Trump’s statements about gun reform earlier this year, meeting with LaPierre could signify a shift to prioritize his reelection campaign.

In the wake of the impeachment inquiry, announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday, Trump has said there is a lower chance of working together on bipartisan reform measures.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told the Times: ‘It’s no secret the president wants meaningful solutions to protect American communities and potentially stop one of these tragedies from ever happening again and he’s going to continue doing his job even though Democrats refuse to do theirs.’

Trump and Pelosi talked about gun policy on Tuesday, but staff from the Democrat’s team revealed the call lacked substance on any proposed measures.   

Meanwhile Trump said: ‘Nancy Pelosi is not interested in guns and gun protection and gun safety.’ 

‘All she’s thinking about is this,’ he added, referring to the impeachment inquiry.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk