Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0

Former President Donald Trump speaking with attendees at the 2023 Turning Point Action Conference in Florida in July 2023.

Former President Donald Trump has backed out of a planned appearance at a Arizona Republican Party fundraiser on Friday night, according to a spokesperson for the state GOP.

Trump’s decision comes a day after Jeff DeWit resigned as chair of the state GOP following the release of a surreptitiously recorded conversation of him seemingly trying to bribe Kari Lake to stay out of this year’s U.S. Senate race.

The Arizona Republican Party has been selling tickets to its AZ GOP Freedom Fest, and advertised Trump as a special speaker, amid its struggles to bring in cash following repeated losses in statewide elections, including Trump’s loss to President Joe Biden in 2020. 

A spokesperson for the state GOP confirmed the event has been canceled, and refunds will be issued to those who purchased tickets expecting to hear from Trump. 

The recording, and DeWit’s resignation, has thrown the state Republican Party into chaos on the eve of its annual organizing meeting on Saturday. Grassroots party officials may vote this weekend to elect a new chair who will lead the state GOP through the 2024 campaign.