The National Rifle Association, NRA, is funding a US$2 million ad for Donald Trump—the largest donation to date for both this election cycle—featuring veterans slamming Hillary Clinton for her handling of the Benghazi attack on the U.S. mission.
RELATED:
Republican Delegate Files Lawsuit Against Cash-Starved Trump
The Political Victory Fund, the NRA’s political branch, will run the ad on cable television in six battleground states, where Clinton is showing a clear lead, according to USA Today.
Trump won the NRA’s endorsement in May but has been far behind Clinton in raising money: this month, he raised nothing in swing states, while Clinton collected US$26 million, reported NBC News.
House Republicans released Tuesday their investigation of the Benghazi attacks, which claimed the lives of four U.S. citizens including the U.S. ambassador, reigniting criticism of Clinton’s work as secretary of state. Clinton has expressed remorse for any mishandling but said that, “I think it's pretty clear it's time to move on."
“The stakes in this election for law-abiding gun owners have never been higher, and the NRA will use all available resources to ensure that voters understand the consequences of a Hillary Clinton presidency on their fundamental right of self-defense,” said Chris Cox, chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund.
RELATED:
US Lawmakers 'Will Pay a Price' for Supporting Gun Control: NRA
The 30-second ad, reported USA Today, features a survivor of the attack walking through a cemetery, saying, “A lot of people say they’re not going to vote this November because their candidate didn’t win; Well, I know some people who won’t be voting this year either ... My friends didn’t make it. They did their part. Do yours.”
The NRA has so far spent more on Clinton’s campaign than on Trump’s, but most of the money—except US$60—was donated against her, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In the past two weeks, it set up booths at four of her campaign events, two of them registered as lobbying in her support.