BREAKING NEWS: Trump pulled out of CPAC this morning.

He was scheduled to speak Saturday morning.

Very disappointed @realDonaldTrump has decided at the last minute to drop out of #CPAC — his choice sends a clear message to conservatives. — CPAC (@CPAC) March 4, 2016

Trump will be campaigning instead.

MORE——–

Ted Cruz supporter William Temple was planning a walkout protest during his speech.

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More from Kristinn:

Leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump abruptly canceled his scheduled speech at CPAC Saturday morning as his campaign announced an appearance in Wichita, Kansas the day of that state’s caucus. Likely factoring into Trump’s decision was a planned protest walkout during his speech at CPAC and the need to have a campaign presence in Kansas. The organizer of the walkout, William Temple, who parades around CPAC in colonial garb, told BizPacReview he expected one thousand CPAC attendees to participate in the Trump walkout. Temple organized a similar walkout last year during Jeb Bush’s speech at CPAC that drew around 300 protesters.

This guy…

Conservatives planned to protest Trump at CPAC https://t.co/OpSAaNeKir pic.twitter.com/WEMngia8AS — Beatrice E. Peterson (@MissBeaE) March 4, 2016

Marco Rubio took a potshot at Trump after hearing the news…

.@marcorubio on Trump/CPAC, per @KilloughCNN: “He doesn’t belong at a conservative gathering. Donald Trump is not a conservative.” — Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) March 4, 2016

UPDATE: Rubio lackeys lobbied CPAC to remove him from the convention earlier this week.

Politico reported: