Update Dec. 4, 2020: Looks like we have our answer from the man himself:
I love and support the @NRA and have been a longtime member, but I don’t want Wayne’s job. This story is total fake news.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 4, 2020
PS: While you're here, if you're not already a member, you can sign up to join the nation's oldest civil rights group below!https://t.co/gM51MFUqwN pic.twitter.com/lh6cnHpdgO
Are Wayne LaPierre’s days as the head of the nation’s preeminent gun-rights organization numbered?
Could be, if we are to believe a report from Business Insider (BI) that claims Donald Trump Jr. is angling to take over as the National Rifle Association’s Executive Vice President, a position LaPierre has held for almost three decades.
BI states that “Advisors to the Trumps” told the publication that “the move would be used as a way to keep Mr Trump Jr. in politics after his father leaves office.”
However, another GOP source speaking to BI dismissed the notion altogether.
“Don is just not getting involved in that pissing match,” the source said.
Just a rumor on a slow news day to get clicks? Perhaps.
GunsAmerica has started doing our own sleuthing. We were told by one industry insider that the BI report was news to him, but he did not outright dismiss the possibility.
From the sounds of it, those on the other side of the gun divide are taking the report seriously.
“It’s hard to believe the NRA may soon be led by someone even more incompetent and corrupt than Wayne LaPierre, but evidently that’s a very real possibility,” said John Feinblatt, president of Bloomberg-funded Everytown for Gun Safety in a press released obtained by GA.
SEE ALSO: NRA Admits Execs Misused Donor Dollars, Settles Carry Guard Lawsuit in New York for $2.5 Million
“In a way, it would be a perfect fit — both NRA leadership and Don Jr. are totally indifferent to the loss of American lives,” he continued.
Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, the other gun-control organization primarily funded by failed 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, was equally critical.
“Donald Trump Jr. has spent the last four years aiding and abetting an administration rife with self-dealing, leaving mass death and destruction in its wake,” said Watts. “Let’s just say that he would feel right at home at the NRA.”
One can argue that if there was any time in recent memory when NRA members would welcome new leadership now would be it.
Just last week the organization admitted in a 2019 tax filing that executives, including LaPierre, had used donor dollars for personal benefit.
However, the audit was careful to note that LaPierre has since “corrected” his misappropriation of funds, cutting a personal check to NRA to the tune of almost $300,000 for charged travel expenses from 2015-2019.
The filing does not let the other executives off the hook and implicates them for financial abuse, including former board president Oliver North and former chief lobbyist Chris Cox.
Additional struggles include a massive layoff of over 200 employees in May of 2020, ballooning legal fees in excess of $54 million over the past few years to fight off various lawsuits, including one with its former ad agency Ackerman McQueen, and a 34 percent decline in membership dues in 2019.
Maybe putting Don Jr. at the helm would be a boon for the NRA. Or, maybe it’s all just hearsay and Wayne isn’t going anywhere.
The NRA leadership has become too corrupt, self-serving, and too much in bed with the political establishment to be of much use. A purge is needed — and an entirely different staff, and a different method of selecting directors. They’ve become like the Republican Party — in business for themselves and pushing their own interests. They have no regard for the wishes of members, and are simply not doing the job they pretend to be doing.
I would support Don Jr., or any intelligent, honest and patriotic believer in the Second Amendment as a replacement for LaPierre.
100% AGREE my friend !! I have tried for years to find out what the salaries are of the Execs @ NRAmake yearly, crickets ?? How many of you out there can “cut a ck for $300K ?? Something is really wrong w/this outfit, and I’m not renewing my membership until all the “old currupt guys” are GONE
I’m not sure what happened e Wayne L. In the past he has done well to help keep our gun rights!
But now I think the vast majority of the Membership has lost confidence in Wayne, and should move on as quickly as possible with all the attacks coming.
I continue to support the NRA, but I’m watching closely as to what the leadership is doing to repair lost confidence!
About done with G.A. Sadly, the “moderator(s)” are get’n just about as bad as ALOT of the liberal, anti-2A pricks that seem to have infiltrated this site. Just another example of how far gone we truly are.
Sadly, the NRA lost its mission and needs to turn around. Wayne Pierre appears to be completely out of touch. I don’t know who would be the best leader of the NRA, but I think it should be someone who recognizes that the second amendment is fundamentally simple, but that it is still necessary to sell concepts to the population to stay in business. A leader that can do that would be nice.
I can’t wait for weird Wayne to go away.
Great, trade one GD thief for another. La Pierre is the reason I am no longer an NRA member.
After reading a lot of comments…looks like the “big Boys” in DC and the media has won…Better back the longest running organization for “we the people” or quit your bitchin….hey show me any organization that someone in it has screwed up oat some level…they rectified the problem…move on …we need all the helpwe an get or our ass is grass….and the way its going now things dont look to good our way
Wayne was caught, then repaid only the airfare. What with the suites and other expenses that we do not know of ? I want to rejoin the NRA but not until Wayne and his crew are gone.
Tom Selleck has my vote.
good pick
He left the board cited it interfered with his schedule despite being a silent member who didn’t really attend meetings.
NRA has always been a scam, why not continue to have it run by another scam artist ? PERFECT !
the NRA has “always been a scam”. One of the most anti-gun, anti-2A and anti-Trump pricks posting on this site is now an authority on the NRA. You are an idiot. Just another loudmouth lunatic on the left that posts inflammatory bs from the anonymity provided by a keyboard and the internet in mommy’s basement – your “safe-space“. Word has it that she’s been telling her “clients” at the truck-stops that it’s time for you to find a job and move out.
Posted this once, but guess the “moderator” thought it was too harsh – guess he’s either a lib like you OR never reads your comments. Not sure which you despise more, the modern sporting rifle – yes, the evil black (still allowed ?) AR – or President Trump. Now you would have us believe you’re an expert on the NRA and Trump Jr. In reality you’re just a typical lib on the left, hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard in the safety of mom’s basement. The NRA has quite a history and has served a valuable purpose. I don’t profess to KNOW anything about W. LaPierre or Trump Jr., but then neither do you. Typical leftist loser – say it whether it’s based on facts or simply made up. Anyway, I’d still love to take you to the range to get some time in with the AR’s and your mom REALLY wants you to get a job, so you can finally move out of her damn basement.
Lucky for you Bones, “Cocks not Glocks” is full of people you can agree with.
I am still backing the NRA with LaPierre even though I believe he should have left sometime ago. I have already been told that makes me a “Fudd” but I have no apologies to issue. LaPierre at the very least has failed to avoid the appearance of impropriety and the organization is more important than any one member. I hope soon there will be a worthy replacement soon.
My question is for the Magoos that bad mouth the NRA far worse than the anti-2A people that also post here. The fight to preserve the 2A is multi-dimensional and NOT just a legal contest. I have recently became a Life Member of the Second Amendment Foundation but have received nothing more than a membership packet and some fund raising promotions. Meanwhile during the same I have received several monthly magazines from the NRA.
I took a gamble on the SAF but am still wondering who they are and what are they doing. I have heard some stand that are potentially unfavorable with the GOA but have NOT been able to confirm or deny those issues.
So here are the questions, what other pro 2A groups fight in the political arena? What pollical fights have the GOA and SAF backed with their finances recently? What politicians have the GOA and SAF supported financially over the years? Does the SAF and the GOA have an agenda that would appeal to a large group of gum owners and politicians? Can the GOA and SAF replace then NRA? Please explain how and why bad mouthing the NRA does more good?
Consider yourself lucky on the 2AF… I got nothing at all when I donated and became a member – even after asking a couple times – not even a reply…
Maybe you are the lucky one, SAF just sent me a bill where they want another $150.00 even though I already sent them $150.00 a couple of months ago. I thought I paid off the constant sales pitch.
I was disappointed and disturbed when they selected Colonel North for president. The reason was right after sandy Hook the media asked him what he felt about civilians owning AR 15s. His response was anyone that wants to own one should join the marines. After that I have no respect for him.
BTW I was in the marines and the M16 you were issued was stored in the armory and it was mostly used for a parade prop or something to clean. Privately owned firearms were practically prohibited on base.
One corrupt turd replacing another.
I’d rather use my money for FLP instead of throwing it away with the NRA.
The days of trying to win the hearts and minds through reasoning with unreasonable people and cajoling and cleaver catch-phrases like ” I’m the NRA” as good as it was in it’s time, are over. They ended on Nov 3rd. If you doubt me, look at the Senate seats up for grabs in 2022. 21 of the 34 seats are Republican, three of which are open, 1 in Wisc and 1 in Penn. That should work out well. The majority of the 13 Dem seats are safe, even without fraud. Now we need to support groups like the 2nd amendment foundation and gun owners of america who will sue these tyrants in court to stop the tyranny that is about to descend on us. We don’t need lobbyists playing to the swamp critters any longer, we need good aggressive attorneys presenting solid cases to a diminishing base of conservative judges issuing federal injunctions to hold onto our freedoms a while longer. LaPierre needs to go, but North is not the one to replace him. This conflict has moved to another level now. 54 million dollars in legal fees is outrageous to defend against lawsuits that should never have occurred if the leadership was doing their jobs. You don’t win this battle now by being on the defensive, you attack, because our enemy plans to….,
I quit the NRA after the 1980 election. NRA gave an honorary life membership to Ronald Reagan and full support while stabbing Jimmy Carter in the back and Carter had paid for his life time membership. Reagan had never been an NRA member or paid a single penny for membership.
I’ve been a Life Member of the NRA since 1970, I quit sending any donations to the NRA once the news broke about Wayne LaPiere and his salary along with his personal use of NRA money. The paid executives all need to resign along with 3/4 of the board of directors (the board is to full of cronies of the current executives). Until that happens they will get no more money from me.
Right on Richard! I too have been a member since 1970, giving much money to the cause and than finding out it was misused by Wayne and his cronies,I too have stopped sending donations…..I give to Gun Owners of America now….
I feel the same way. LaPierre has lost sight of our purpose. He needs to go.
Well, somebody needs to replace him!
That’s NOT going to happen!!!!!
If this happens I will join back up! Go Don Jr!!!
I like Trump Jr., but he is not in a position to help rebuild the image of the NRA. To be sure, the leader must navigate both the existing laws and still act forcefully to ensure the meaning of the Constitution is never lost in translation.
Junior would probably be good, but he will have both detractors and haters, just because of his father. Times are changing and even being a strong supporter is not enough when the new Left demonizes the organization and looks to trip-up all of us supporters.
To be sure, with this much smoke, all this time, and only maintaining the status quo, it is time for new leadership and it has to be a person who won’t be shot down just for taking the job.
If Don Jr. wants a future in politics, this would be a bad choice, because as you can see from the notes above that the NRA is being bad-mouthed, which destroys us as a voting bloc.
Leonard,you make some great points,except one.just because we are “bad mouthing” the NRA does not destroy the law abiding,second amendment supporting voting block! There are many other great gun lobby choices out there to get our voting block behind! I personally donate now to Gun Owners of America.
If you think Wayne La Pierre is a polarizing figure for the NRA then it’s not going to get any better with a Trump at the helm. Don Jr. would probably do a great job but that misses the point. Many will reject the NRA just because of the name Trump and take their money elsewhere. For all his flaws, Wayne La Pierre has been a stalwart leader for the NRA and maintained its presence in D.C. as the most powerful lobby in the nation that has successfully defended our constitutional rights. Hardly a failure. People hate the NRA and La Pierre precisely because they have been so successful. Could the NRA be managed better? What organization couldn’t be? We need to remain united in defense of our constitutionally-guaranteed liberties or we are sure to lose them.
the problem with your logic is many people like me as a “Life Member” of the NRA stop supporting the NRA Financially. many have not joined just because LaPierre has a choke hold on the organization. he is a big distraction and has recently admitted the org has some “mis-management.”
it is time for him to step down or the members finally step up and demand it. it is time for new leadership even if that be Trump Jr or Ollie North.
Agreed!
I voted for Trump. But I don’t want any of his kids anywhere near positions of power so to speak. Enough is enough. There has to be a million talented, educated business men and women out there who would focus on the business of the NRA, instead of giving the position to another political hack. Donald Trump Jr. would do nothing FOR the NRA.. but you better believe that like the rest of the family, he would use the position for maximum personal gain and nothing else.. it’s time for the Trumps to ride off into the Sunset.
Too bad Don Jr. denied it.
Because if it were true, fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
La Pierre is scum and is probably going to prison. Don Jr is a little bitch who is likely going to find legal trouble soon, too. NRA needs fresh blood and clean house at the top. when they get competent, real gun guys in there i’ll start donating again.
Spot on.
I quit supporting the NRA beyond the annual membership dues a long time ago. I looked up the executive salaries online, and nearly choked. Their executives have gotten rich from donations from people who probably really can’t afford it. Until I see those salaries reduces to the level of common working people, I will NOT give them anything extra.
Mr. W. LaPierre needs to go for as it is, I and many, many others refuse to send the NRA one cent until he leaves. I think Don Jr. might be a good replacement for Wayne but a far better replacement, in my opinion, would be Col. Allen West.
Agreed! Wayne has to go. This post needs to be filled with someone who will not take advantage of the position for personal gain.
I would agree that Ollie North or Col. Allen West would both be excellent choices.
NRA has a swamp just like our Federal Government and it needs to be drained. I mean the swamp not the NRA, it’s been drained enough.
My biggest beef is that the NRA buys SOOOO much from CHINA and sells it online in their store.
If you don’t support AMERICA FIRST… when will you support it ???
NRA Instructor, Chief Range Safety Officer, USPSA RO …
And yeah… maybe it’s time to get some new blood in the game…
If Mr. Lapierre was ready to step aside. he would say so and do so, he is a very honorable man.
But for the fake news to try to cause dissension in the members of the NRA, is just like all of their other ploys to disrupt the conservative plan for America. They lie, cheat, and twist the truth about everything. and they believe it all themselves, as they have been lying to themselves for so long that the liberals don’t know what the truth is. And the swamp is with them: Tertia Optio
Honorable men don’t take $300,00.00 from the company they lead. Then repay the money when they get caught to keep from being prosecuted. What he and the executives are paid is obscene. They have done nothing for gun rights out west. Get rid of them all in the high up positions, renegotiate their pay to a reasonable amount if you want to win back normal gun owners like me and millions of others.
Wayne is anything but honorable. Paying back $300,000.00 after being caught is proof of that. Get rid of him and you will most likely get back members who didn’t renew because of Wayne and all his and the other executives excesses.
He’s done so much for gun rights? I don’t feel that way. In my opinion he or the NRA under his watch has endorced anti gun measures or IMHO given the nod and looked the other way when anti gun legislation was being brought up. I recall the Bumpstock ban, 1994 assault weapons ban. I also remember Initially the NRA tried to stop the DC vs Heller suit. Stating it was to risky. He/the NRA only jumped on after it looked like a win for gun rights. There are others but that’s what I remember at the moment.
Wayne needed to be gone more than a few years ago!
Roles like his I feel should be the same as what we SHOULD have for Congress. TERM LIMITS!
Indefinite tenures do nothing but allow consolidation of power which then leads to corruption and the “I can’t be touched” attitude.
It is a shame what Wayne has done to the NRA, especially now, when we will need the NRA the most to fight back against Crazy Joe’s gun grabbing. Unfortunately, I cannot in good conscience give money to an organization with the level of corruption that currently exists w/in the NRA.
The next 4-years are going to be very bad for gun owners and our 2nd Amendment Rights.
Well said.
Very well said! Yes! You hit the nail on the head,Brian!
Having Joey Obiden in the White House, is a bigger threat to the 2A that probably anything else, and if the LiPS (Liberal Progressive Socialists) get control of the Senate, the Clinton assault weapons ban will be law again. But it will be much worse as Obiden wants to use taxes on guns, magazines, and even ammunition. Further is changing the current laws that deal with being able to charge firearms manufactures with negligence (aka lawsuits) for what a gun does.
I do think that Wayne has done a lot for the NRA, especially in the legislative arena, but having “new blood” at this critical time might be a good thing. As for Don Jr, I really haven’t come to any conclusions simply because I haven’t spent the time looking at him and his record. Might be time to do that…..
Don jr. has said this is a false story. I tend to believe him. He has bigger and more impactful things to do with far less stress. Articles such as this just perpetuate these internet rumors.
The NRA does need new leadership but there are other great candidates.
How about Col. Allen West?
Now Colonel West is an honorable man. I would support him in a heartbeat and re start my membership.
It’s very hard to say with those sources.
B.I. has gone completely Left, and they cannot be trusted for ANY news concerning our side.
Of course, the quotes from the Lefty anti gunners is as expected, but for Feinblatt to call others corrupt is laughable, and Watts is ever the ignorant witch with her lies and deceit.
Not to mention we speak here of corruption, and the Left just elected one of the MOST corrupt POTUS’s in history.
I wouldn’t say they “elected” him. More like they stuffed the ballot box with votes from ILLEGAL ALIENS, dead people, people from out of state, and electronic vote switching. I hope Trump prevails in his fight against this treasonous act.
CGA
Stuff the ballot box, dead people, aliens, blah blah blah. You clearly believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and tRump BS. How many courts need to hear and rule on this BS before you and other MAGA tRump fans get it.
By all means, send him your money as he will need it for his defense fund when he leaves office. In the mean time, CRY ME A RIVER.
It’s time for Wayne to leave. His cronyism has bled the NRA for years with his personal travel and personal expenses coming out of membership funds. Paying out ridiculous Legal fees of Millions of dollars to his friends Law firm and the NRA getting little to show for it. I have been a Life Member for over 40 years. I would welcome Donald Trump JR or Chris Cox if he’s cleared of any misuse of NRA funds. I predict a change of Leadership would bring 50% more donations to the NRA & bring back many dissolutioned former members. It’s time for New leadership, Don JR is an avid Hunter, Shooter, and defender of the Second Amendment.
It time for Wayne to buy his own closet full of 40,000.00 suits and leave my money where it was intended to go
Not on his back and pockets. And by the way leave the suits at NRA office the members own them.
We need a strong leader like Don Jr to take over he has under the microscope for the last 5yrs. The only thing they have come up with is made up stories. If it was illegal he would’ve been in court by now. If the anti 2A people hate him he must be doing something right! I vote yes.
Wayne has done good things in the past for the NRA. Now he’s single-handedly killing us. He must resign ASAP.
A couple of thoughts:
It’s way past time to get rid of Wayne.
Trump may or may not be a good choice.
BUT
If Bloomburg doesn’t like it, it’s gotta’ be a good idea. ………….
Hell yeah ! ( btw , THAT made me laugh …
So very true! How about Col. Allen West as a replacement?
The man has passion. We could use some of that for a change. Hestonesque.
Adam Kraut would also be a good choice here!
I’ve been a life member for over 35 years. Trump and LaPierre are cut from the same cloth. The NRA needs to return to its core values of education, fostering safe firearms use, and being beyond approach.
Avoiding the polarization of the country is the best path; contrasted with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, another organization I have supported for the same length of time; their focus is on education, safety, and facts. They do not disparage fellow citizens who happen to disagree, don’t call them names, don’t rely on catch phrases, and never tell its members how to vote.
As a fellow life member I agree with most of what you say–However we need a fighter up there,since the socialist Democrats are working to divide the country we need a Trump
“cut from the same cloth”?
Let’s see you defend that logically, and with examples.
I doubt you will, for example your use of the AOPA is terrible, it’s completely unanalogous, as it isn’t a ‘Right’, very few are opposed to airplanes in general, and they don’t spend a lot of time or funds defending it.
I doubt that you really understand the NRA and it’s mission at all.
“…fostering safe firearms use, and being beyond approach.” I’m not sure being “beyond approach” is a good policy. Anyone should always be approachable. Actually, “beyond approach” is pretty much what LaPierre is right now.
Don Jr is the perfect fit we need a person that actually loves the sport of shooting and has a credible name in this country any one else will bend to the anti gun mob. I was a NRA member for all my life and my father a lifetime member also but I haven’t given them a cent since this happened. Need new leadership because we do need a voice in Washington more that ever
Ditto , was about to let my membership lapse. This would make me reconsider…
I think Wayne LaPierre needs to go! Don Trump Jr might be what’s needed at the top of the NRA.
First, anyone who believes a “professional media source” these days hasn’t been paying attention for the past twenty years.
Second, WLP isn’t going to leave the NRA while there’s a single dollar he can still scam into his pockets. Right now your dues are paying his legal fees and that’s all you’re good for.
I wish I could “like” this comment.
Having been a member of the NRA since the 60’s, I would not endorse Junior as the next Exec VP. The NRA needs a proven leader who exhibits the highest degree of honesty and integrity. My membership in the organization will depend on it. We do not need to replace a questionable character with another. I do agree the NRA needs to clean house.
How about Col. Allen West?
I would rejoin the NRA in a heartbeat if Don Jr. took over for the criminal Wayne.
Lapierre needs to be replaced with new “blood” (leadership). But, much as I like Don Jr, if shouldn’t be him. Hes too polarizing.
We need a strong leader who is not controversial. There are many democrat NRA supporters. He/she needs to be a strong statesmanlike voice of reason for gun rights.
Any strong leader will be controversial. Especially in the arena of defending 2A rights under a Democrat administration with the full backing of the main stream media. If he/she ain’t controversial they ain’t doing the job.
Sound like a bunch of liberals talking.
Is a shooting sports enthusiast and strong 2A supporter, and at a time now that we need very strong and unimpeachable representation at the NRA, I am so saddened with the events that have taken place and these admitted miss use of funds when people donate there desperately needed funds to an organization to protect their rights that these people allowed the same today of this organization to be challenged and convicted of miss trust.
I think Wayne has been there too long and is no longer capable of keeping the NRA going strong. There have been too many internal problems and too much infighting. I think Don Jr could bring the NRA back to its former level of strength and effectiveness in the political forum as well as its ability to promote gun ownership and training.
If Don Jr would go for that position – I’d gladly join back up with the NRA. I will NOT join if the current status of money grabbers stay in the office.
LaPierre needs to go. Crooked as a dog’s hind leg.
I’ve been a member since 1958, the kid would be fine by me.
Fake news. Don denied it today.
Too bad. WLP needs to go . Too much doubt in his leadership/honesty ( financially ).