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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Taking the stage for the first time since leaving office, former President Donald Trump called for GOP unity on Sunday, even as he exacerbated intra-partisan divisions by attacking his fellow Republicans and promoting lies about the election in a speech that made it clear that he intends to remain a dominant political force.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he was hailed as a returning hero, Trump lambasted his successor, President Joe Biden, and attempted to present a vision for the rotating GOP’s future. firmly around him, despite his loss in November.
“I still miss you?” Trump said after taking the stage to his old rally soundtrack and cheering crowd support.
Trump, in his speech, attempted to play down the party’s civil war over the extent to which Republicans should embrace him, even as he rolled out a list of enemies, calling the 10 Republicans of the House and seven GOP senators who voted to impeach or convict him for inciting the U.S. Capitol riot. He ended by pointing to Representative Liz Cheney, the No. 3 Republican in the House, who has faced huge backlash in Wyoming for saying Trump should no longer play a role in the party or make headlines. of the event.
As he insisted the divide was just an argument “between a handful of Washington, DC, establishment political hacks and everyone across the country,” Trump had a message for the holders who had dared to cross him: ‘Get rid of’ all. “
The conference, held this year in Orlando instead of suburban Washington to escape COVID-19 restrictions, served as a tribute to Trump and Trumpism, with a golden statue in his image. on the screen. Speakers, including many potential hopes for 2024, argued the party must embrace the former president and his supporters, even after the deadly insurgency on Capitol Hill on January 6.
They also repeated in panel after panel his unsubstantiated claims that he lost his re-election solely due to massive electoral fraud, even though those claims were rejected by judges, Republican state officials and the administration’s own. of Trump.
Trump also continued to repeat what Democrats dubbed the “big lie,” calling the election “rigged” and insisting he won in November, even though he lost by more than 7 million. voice.
“As you know, they just lost the White House,” he said of Biden, rewriting history.
It is highly unusual for former US presidents to publicly criticize their successors in the months following their departure. Former presidents typically step out of the spotlight for at least a while; Barack Obama was seen kitesurfing on vacation after he left, while George W. Bush said he believed Obama “deserved my silence” and started painting.
Not Trump.
He sharply criticized what he called the new administration’s first month of failures, particularly Biden’s approach to immigration and the border.
“Joe Biden has had the most disastrous first month of any president in modern history,” Trump said.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki brushed aside expected criticism last week. “We’ll see what he says, but we’re definitely not focusing on what President Trump says to CPAC,” she told reporters.
In addition to criticizing Biden, Trump used the speech to crown himself with the future of the Republican Party, although many leaders say they need to take a new, less confrontational direction after Republicans lose not only the White House, but the two chambers of Congress.
Although Trump flirted with the idea of creating a third party, he pledged on Sunday to be a part of “our beloved” GOP.
“I will continue to fight by your side. We are not starting new parties, ”he said. “We have the Republican Party. It’s going to be strong and united like never before. Yet Trump spent much of his speech attacking those he deemed insufficiently loyal and dubbed “RINO” – Republicans in name only – for not supporting him.
“We cannot have leaders who show more passion for condemning their fellow Americans than they have ever shown for standing up for the Democrats, the media and the radicals who want to make America a socialist country,” Trump said.
Trump did not use his speech to announce his intention to run again, but he repeatedly teased the prospect by predicting that a Republican would win back the White House in 2024.
“And I wonder who it will be,” he proposed. “Who, who, who will it be?” I wonder.”
However, it’s still unclear how much appetite there would be for another Trump term, even in the room of staunch supporters.
The conference’s annual unscientific poll of just over 1,000 attendees found 97% approved of the work Trump had done as president. But they were much more ambiguous when asked if he should show up again, with just 68% of them saying he should.
If the 2024 primary was held today and Trump was in the running, only 55% said they would vote for him, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 21%. Without Trump on the ground, DeSantis garnered 43% support, followed by 8% for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and 7% each for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Although he no longer had his megaphone on social media after being banned from Twitter and Facebook, Trump had entered public life even before the speech. He called the conservative media after the death of radio star Rush Limbaugh and released statements including a criticism of Mitch McConnell after the Republican Senate leader excoriated Trump for inciting the riot on Capitol Hill. McConnell has since said he would “absolutely” support Trump if he were the GOP candidate in 2024.
At his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump also quietly met with aides and senior party leaders as he built his post-presidential political operation. Although he has already backed several pro-Trump candidates, including one challenging an impeachment supporter, assistants worked last week to develop benchmarks for those seeking his approval to ensure the candidates are serious and have a full policy and fundraising in place. organizations before he gets involved.
They are also planning a new super PAC that could raise unlimited amounts, although an aide warned that they are still deciding to create a new entity or reuse an existing America First super PAC.
Trump hinted at the effort on Sunday, expressing his commitment to helping elected Republicans and calling on attendees to join him.
“I stand before you today to declare that the incredible journey we have started together … is far from over,” he said.
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