GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has cancelled his planned appearance here this afternoon.
Trump, and 10 of his fellow 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls, were scheduled to participate in a Heritage Action for America summit in this key early-voting state.
But shortly after noon, Trump's campaign issued a statement that said Trump will be busy instead making money:
"Mr. Trump has a significant business transaction that was expected to close Thursday. Due to the delay he is unable to attend today's Heritage Action Presidential Forum. He sends his regrets and looks forward to being with the great people of South Carolina on Wednesday in Columbia."
Dan Holler, communications director for Heritage Action, said it was "unfortunate" Trump will not be here. "Tonight's event is about the thousands of voters who are coming to listen to a substantive policy discussion," Holler told the AJC. "It will be a great opportunity to talk about policy issues and address the concerns facing all Americans."
Update: Trump's decision comes after he's been roundly criticized for not correcting a New Hampshire man who on Thursday night said President Barack Obama is a Muslim who was not born in the United States.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the long-shot Republican candidate who hails from this state, told MSNBC that Trump was wrong to let it go.
"Give me a break," Graham said. ""You had a chance here to show who you were."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who will also scheduled to be in Greenville today, told the "Today" show that he would have corrected the man in New Hampshire.
But Christie said it was Trump's call.
"I'm not going to lecture him about what to do," Christie said.
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