NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — Former President Donald Trump made his general election case against President Joe Biden at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, presenting himself as the only way to stop “Biden’s fast track to hell.”
“The only thing standing between you and [the country’s] obliteration is me,” Trump declared.
The former president attempted to appear as a political outsider once again instead of the party’s establishment, a theme that resonated with voters in the 2016 election.
“I stand before you today not only as your past and hopefully future president. But as a proud political dissident, I am a dissident,” Trump said, referencing his looming criminal indictments.
Trump described his 91 felony charges and court appearances as “Stalinist show trials.”
“The Stalinist show trials being carried out at Joe Biden’s orders set fire not only to our system of government but to hundreds of years of western legal tradition,” he said.
“They’ve replaced law, precedent, and due process with a rabid mob of radical left Democrat partisans masquerading as judges and juries and prosecutors,” he added.
As Republican voters head to the polls in South Carolina for the fifth nominating contest in the GOP presidential race, the Republican presidential front-runner never once mentioned his lone remaining primary rival, Nikki Haley, and instead slammed Biden and Democrats on immigration, inflation, and foreign policy.
“Four years ago, I told you that if Crooked Joe Biden got to the White House, our borders would be abolished, our middle class would be decimated, and our communities would be plagued by bloodshed, chaos, and violent crime. We were right about everything,” the former president declared. “If crooked Joe Biden wins in 2024, the worst is yet to come. Our country will go and sink to levels of unimaginable.”
The former president mentioned foreign policy, claiming that the numerous ongoing international conflicts would have been avoided if he had been commander-in-chief.
“The attack on Israel would have never happened. Iran was broke. They were broke. Ukraine would have never happened,” he said.
Once onstage after a nearly hour delay, Trump looked out at the crowd and recognized his allies one by one, as supporters donned red hats and Trump apparel. The conservative conference has evolved over the years into a Trump-centric confab.
“You always have to paint the picture that your opponent has painted for you, and it’s not a very pretty picture, but I think it’s appropriate,” former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) told the Washington Examiner. “The former president usually does a good job of talking about things he will do differently and put forth ideas that will juxtapose to what Biden’s policies are.”
While parts of the speech paint a dark picture of the country and resemble his inaugural address that painted a picture of “American carnage,” Trump also offered attendees here a vision of a brighter future under a second Trump presidency.
“If we can break out of this Biden nightmare, we have it in our grasp to make America richer, safer, stronger, prouder, and more beautiful than ever before; I think we have a real shot at it,” Trump exclaimed, after going on a tangent that was not part of his prepared remarks.“To lift millions from poverty. To give young people hope for the future again. To forge peace out of conflict, strength out of hardship, and new industries on the ruins of hollowed-out towns.”
The former president attempted to reassure voters that his “ultimate and absolute revenge” would be America’s success under a second Trump administration.
“November 5 will be our new liberation day, but for the liars and cheaters and fraudsters and censors and impostors who have commandeered our government, it will be their judgment day,” he said.
“Your victory will be our ultimate vindication, your liberty will be our ultimate reward and the unprecedented success of the United States of America will be my ultimate and absolute revenge,” he continued.
The CPAC speech illustrates the former president’s desire to turn toward the general election in November. While Trump was speaking to a crowd of adoring supporters, he’s attempting to shift his message in a way that can connect with undecided voters in swing states.
“Suburban women — they’re going to love us,” Trump said toward the beginning of his remarks.
This year’s CPAC will also serve as the unofficial kickoff to the GOP vice presidential stakes. Some of the most talked-about potential running mates addressed the CPAC audience in what can only be described as an audition of sorts to test how they are received by the Trump faithful. The former president didn’t mention the battle to become his running mate, which has been on full display throughout the week at the conference.
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Later Saturday, results of a rare vice presidential straw poll will be released surveying CPAC attendees about 17 potential Trump running mates.
The conference began Wednesday amid the throes of a presidential race, and there’s little space in the agenda for 2024 also-rans or to showcase the party’s future. Nor is there a spot for Haley, who is still competing for the GOP nomination in the South Carolina primary on Saturday against her former boss. Instead, it’s a four-day fete with one man at the center: Trump.
