Greg Abbott-Endorsed Texas Republican Says Trump Is 'No Longer Electable'

A Republican lawmaker in Texas who was endorsed by the Donald Trump-backed governor, Greg Abbott, has said he can no longer support the former president.

Justin Holland, a GOP member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 33rd District, responded angrily to a comment Trump made at the National Rifle Association's (NRA) annual gathering in Houston.

With emotions still raw following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde only three days earlier, Trump was among Republican figures who addressed the NRA meeting in Houston about 300 miles away.

Trump, who endorsed Abbott for re-election in June 2021, said on Friday: "Unlike some, I didn't disappoint you by not showing up. Gotta show up," Trump said to cheers from the audience.

Holland shared a clip of Trump's comment on Twitter, concluding that it showed how the former president had "lost all control a long time ago."

"This comment proves why he is no longer electable, is out of touch and is not a true Statesman. He {continually} disappoints our state and country. Such a waste of opportunity. I cannot support this man again. And won't."

Newsweek has contacted Trump's spokesperson for comment.

The former president did not refer to anyone by name and it was not exactly clear who he was referring to as a number of GOP figures withdrew from the event at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

However, media reports suggested it was a swipe at Abbott who had been scheduled to address the gathering in person but backed out. Abbott instead gave a pre-recorded video address and visited Uvalde where he held a press conference.

Two Texas Republicans, Rep. Dan Crenshaw and Sen. John Cornyn, also pulled out of the event. Meanwhile, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick withdrew, saying he did not want "to bring any additional pain or grief to the families" of the victims in Uvalde.

Trump joined those who attended in denying that guns were the problem and emphasized school safety and mental health. He called for "a top-to-bottom security overhaul at schools" saying that every building "should have a single point of entry."

Other speakers included South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem who defended gun rights and strongly criticized what she called the "woke mob."

Police are facing heavy criticism and have been called "cowards" for their response to the mass shooting on Tuesday in which 19 children, two adults and the alleged shooter Salvador Ramos were killed.

There was outrage after it was revealed that local police went inside the building minutes after the gunman entered but retreated and took cover. Ramos was killed by border patrol agents more than an hour later.