Delta says it is ending NRA discount to avoid “highly charged political issue”

Delta Air Lines has faced some backlash after announcing Saturday it would end a discount for National Rifle Association members, but the company said this is not the first time it has "withdrawn support over a politically and emotionally charged issue."

Atlanta-based Delta pointed to its decision last year to withdraw sponsorship of a theater over the portrayal of a Trump-like Julius Caesar.

The company issued a statement saying: "Delta supports all of its customers but will not support organizations on any side of any highly charged political issue that divides our nation." The airline said it "continues to support the 2nd Amendment" and made the move "to refrain from entering this debate and focus on its business."