Former President Donald Trump previewed the future of “Trumpism” as an inclusive, populist movement on behalf of U.S. workers during his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Trump, who called the GOP “a party of love” due to his changes,” argued that his movement is unparalleled in its desire to prioritize workers in the United States from all backgrounds.
“The task for our movement and our party is to stand up to this destructive agenda [put forth by Biden] with confidence and with resolve,” he said on Sunday. “The future of the Republican Party is as a party that defends the social, economic, and cultural interests and values of working American families of every race, color, and creed.”
TOP HOUSE REPUBLICANS LAY OUT VISION FOR PARTY AT CPAC, AND TRUMPISM IS PART OF THE PICTURE
The former president defined “Trumpism” as “great deals,” “low taxes,” “strong borders,” “no riots in the streets,” “very strong protection for the Second Amendment,” “a strong military,” and “support for the forgotten men and women who have been taken advantage of for so many years,” revisiting the “America First” philosophy on which he campaigned during his 2020 bid.
“Republicans believe that the needs of every citizen must come first,” he said. “In fact, America must come first.”
Trump laid out a policy platform for the GOP to emulate as it approaches the 2022 midterm elections and the 2024 presidential contest.
“The mission of our movement and of the Republican Party must be to create a future of good jobs, strong families, safe communities, a vibrant culture, and a great nation for all Americans, and that’s what we’re creating,” he said.
The remarks follow Trump’s previous promise not to bring his supporters to a third party to compete with the GOP, which would have directly pitted “Trumpism” against the views of the GOP establishment.
Two months after leaving office, Trump continues to be an important figure within Republican politics, with his political philosophy continuing to be popular among the party’s voters. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., alluded to the popularity among the GOP base on Saturday.
“When I walk around the floor here at CPAC, the amount of love for my father, for his policies [of] putting America first and going to bat for those Americans who have forgotten for far too long, it’s absolutely incredible,” he said.
Several other CPAC speakers also cited an adherence to “Trumpism” as critical to the GOP’s prospects of reclaiming control of the House or Senate during the 2022 midterm elections.
“The least popular [Republicans] in our party are the ones who want to erase Donald Trump and Donald Trump supporters from our party,” Indiana Rep. Jim Banks said Saturday. “If that happens, we will win back the majority in 2022. We definitely want to go back to the White House in 2024.”
Trump’s status as something of a party icon remains intact, with a golden statue of the former president wearing American flag shorts prominently on display in the event arena over the weekend.
While Trump has called for a unified GOP, he has backed primary challenges to incumbent representatives and senators who supported his impeachment. The former president made the first “revenge endorsement” on Friday in announcing his support for Max Miller, a 32-year-old former White House adviser to Trump who is challenging Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez.
“Max Miller is a wonderful person who did a great job at the White House and will be a fantastic Congressman. He is a Marine Veteran, a son of Ohio, and a true PATRIOT,” Trump said in a statement. “Current Rep. Anthony Gonzalez should not be representing the people of the 16th district because he does not represent their interest or their heart. Max Miller has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
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Ten House Republicans joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump on Jan. 13 on a charge of “inciting an insurrection.” Trump was then acquitted in the Senate, where two-thirds of present senators would have needed to vote affirmatively in order to obtain a conviction. Seven Republicans voted in favor of conviction, rendering the final vote 57-43. Trump was previously impeached on two Ukraine-related charges in December 2019 before he was acquitted in the GOP-majority Senate.
