Trump Will Not Attend NAACP Convention, Campaign Says

Republican Ronald Reagan didn't speak in 1980 after saying his invitation came too late

Donald Trump has declined to speak at the NAACP's annual convention in Cincinnati on Monday, his spokeswoman confirmed, instead giving his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton a prime political stage all to herself.

While his campaign did not say why it was skipping the event, Trump will be tied up as the Republican Party focuses on its own national convention — set to kick off the same day in Cleveland and last through Thursday, NBC News reported.

Trump's apparent snub would be only the fourth time since 1980 that a presidential candidate has not appeared at the convention.

Republican Ronald Reagan didn't speak in 1980 after saying his invitation came too late. He apologized and spoke the following year.

The civil rights organization has a long tradition of inviting nominees from both major parties to speak at its convention during election years, although some appearances have been rockier than others.

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