Donald Trump Plans To Present Himself At CPAC As The “Presumptive 2024 Nominee”

Photo via the White House

February 22, 2021, 12:25 pm

If you thought the GOP was done with Donald Trump, think again, because they’ve invited him to this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as a speaker, and according to his aides, he only has one topic in mind.

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Axios reports that one Trump adviser has characterized the upcoming speech as a “show of force” meant to send a specific message: “I may not have Twitter or the Oval Office, but I’m still in charge.”

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“Trump effectively is the Republican Party,” said Jason Miller said to reporter Mike Allen. “The only chasm is between Beltway insiders and grassroots Republicans around the country. When you attack President Trump, you’re attacking the Republican grassroots.”

BREAKING: Former President Trump will speak at next week’s Conservative Political Action Conference conference in Florida, his first public appearance since leaving office, a source with direct knowledge tells Axios. https://t.co/GB8FFLk2Eg

— Axios (@axios) February 20, 2021

It also sounds like Trump will be doing everything he can to turn the Republican party into what he says it is, as he reportedly plans to support candidates launching primary challenges against those who turned against him in his final months.

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According to Allen, Trump and his organization will “shower money and endorsements on the Trumpiest candidates” leading up to the 2022 midterm elections.

The fact that Trump was invited to CPAC shows that he still maintains a good amount of influence within the GOP. This is compounded by the fact that the vast majority of Republican senators voted to acquit him in his second impeachment trial and have censured those who voted to convict or voted to impeach in the House.

As Democrats argued during the trial, the lack of accountability facing Trump seems to have encouraged him to maintain his influence over the GOP and continue his plans to run for president again in 2024. This recent invitation to CPAC has exacerbated these concerns.

Do not let them normalize the failed coup on the Capitol. CPAC and any donors should be ASHAMED they are having Trump speak .

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) February 21, 2021

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It’s been a week since GOP acquitted Trump for attacking the US Capitol. Jan 6 was a coordinated effort led by his inner circle. Now he will be speaking at CPAC. GOP let him off because they want MAGA to fight on. If there are indictments out there they better happen soon.

— NoelCaslerComedy (@CaslerNoel) February 22, 2021

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Trump will speak at CPAC.

The fact that he’s even invited tells you everything you need to know about CPAC.

There’s nothing conservative about trying to destroy democracy.

CPAC is all about white power.

— Nick Knudsen (@NickKnudsenUS) February 21, 2021

The participation of Trump in @CPAC forever ends the possibility of any person associated with the event to describe themselves as patriotic or as loyal to the Constitution or the republican democracy it sustains.

— Joseph Robertson (@poet_economist) February 21, 2021

It appears Pence is not attending CPAC. He had a lucky escape on 1/6. Probably afraid Trump won’t miss this time.

— Boris Trump (@BorisTrump6) February 21, 2021

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The @CPAC agenda is focused on doubling down on the Big Lie that led to the insurrection on Jan 6 & other dangerous narratives. It will also be a #COVID super spreader-there was an outbreak of the virus at this event last year. Americans will suffer-Trump #Republicans don’t care. https://t.co/ZIzlTVKRbD

— Olivia of Troye (@OliviaTroye) February 21, 2021

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It does appear that Mike Pence, whom Trump supporters targeted on January 6 for a possible hanging, has declined the offer to speak at CPAC 2021.

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*First Published: February 22, 2021, 12:25 pm