Donald Trump Cancels Major GOP Speech Amid Obama Muslim Backlash

Republican frontrunner claims he’s pulling out due to “significant business transaction”

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Donald Trump is bailing on a major gathering of Republican leaders in South Carolina, just hours before he was expected to speak.

The cancellation comes as the billionaire real estate developer faces harsh criticism for failing to correct an audience member who said President Barack Obama was a Muslim and not an American citizen during a town hall meeting on Thursday.

But according to a statement sent by his campaign, the GOP frontrunner is ditching his appearance at the Heritage Action Presidential Forum because of a “significant business transaction.”

Ten other GOP candidates are still expected to attend.

“Tonight’s event is about the thousands of voters who are coming to listen to a substantive policy discussion. It will be a great opportunity to talk about policy issues and address the concerns facing all Americans. That’s unfortunate that Mr. Trump is unable to attend,” Heritage Action Communications Director Dan Holler said in an email.

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