The National Review – the long-time standard-bearer of American conservatives came out with a special print edition this week which lists 22 prominent conservative writers and personalities who have come out against GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Included in the issue are essays detailing conservatives’ reasons for opposing his candidacy. See Spero News article.

Critics claim that Trump did not speak out for conservative causes when his help was needed. To spread the word, the Twitter hashtag #AgainstTrump was formulated. See here.

Once the magazine’s publication of the special edition was known, it had immediate consequences. According to National Review Jack Fowler, who wrote in a post entitled “Houston, we have a problem,” that the magazine was to have been the media partner to the February 25 Republican debate before the Super Tuesday round of primaries in several states. According to Fowler, the magazine was “disinvited.”

Just got a call from top GOP official. @NRO disivinited from Houston debate on Feb. 25th becasue of #AgainstTrump. https://t.co/KrPECb1Mwz

— Jack Fowler (@jackfowler) January 22, 2016

On the evening of January 21, Fowler wrote on the magazine's website, “Tonight, a top official with the RNC called me to say that National Review was being disinvited. The reason: Our ‘Against Trump’ editorial and symposium. We expected this was coming. Small price to pay for speaking the truth about The Donald.” On his Twitter account, Trump was dismissive of the slight, saying that a “true conservative voice” is needed.

Very few people read the National Review because it only knows how to criticize, but not how to lead.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016

.@NRO Really important to save National Review from going out of business. We need a true conservative voice!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2015