Donald Trump touts Scott Brown for vice president, 2nd Amendment activists not amused
Two years ago, more than 100 conservative activists gathered in Nashua to protest an appearance by former Sen. Scott Brown, who was in the exploratory phase of his run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jeanne Shaheen. So it created quite a stir when Donald Trump gave a big thumbs up to supporters who called on him to pick Brown to be his vice president.
Trump made those comments during an appearance in Portsmouth at a “No BS Backyard BBQ” event hosted by Brown. Trump praised Brown when a member of the audience suggested Brown would make a good vice president. “Vice president? Hey, that sounds like a good… Hey, hey, very good,” Trump said. “Hey, you know what? And he’s central casting. Look at that guy, central casting,” he added. “Great guy.”
The 2nd Amendment activists who organized the protest two years ago pointed to Brown’s previous support for a federal assault weapons ban and his opposition to concealed-carry reciprocity, which earned Brown an endorsement by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the senate contest with Elizabeth Warren.
“Scott Brown is anti-gun!!!” declared state Rep. JR Hoell (R-Dunbarton). Jerry DeLemus, who later made national headlines when he commanded the armed militia that backed Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, blasted Brown, calling him a “2nd Amendment trampler.” It’s “shameful” and “outrageous,” said the Rochester Tea Party activist.
“I was told that it was not meant as an offer to Brown and [Trump] opposes many of [Brown’s] positions,” DeLemus related on social media. “I certainly wasn’t laughing when I heard it. If I was Cruz I’d be playing that soundbite… I’m certainly not going to make any excuses for his comments as I can’t stand [Brown],” DeLemus added.
Hoell, who has endorsed Rand Paul, also criticized Trump on social media. “Donald Trump was praising Anti-Gun Scott Brown at an event that was co-hosted by both of them,” he wrote. “Trump even went on to mention that he is considering Anti-Gun Scott Brown as his VP choice. For those that like Trump, this is real and current evidence that Trump is not who he claims to be.“
“How could Trump claim to be good on guns and these disarm everyone who attends his events?” Hoell asked. “How could Trump claim to be good on guns and even think about an event where he was promoting Scott Brown?”