Trump Revels in Power at Conservative Political Action Conference

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump delivered a commanding keynote address Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he celebrated his administration’s recent initiatives and projected confidence in a political comeback. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Trump claimed that his administration has set a new standard in governance, saying, “Nobody’s ever seen anything like this.”

In a performance reminiscent of his campaign rallies, Trump touted his achievements and his plans for the future, stating that the Republican Party now represents the “proud voice of hard-working citizens of every race, religion, [and] creed.” He outlined his administration’s agenda, including significant cuts to the federal workforce and a strong stance on immigration, emphasizing, “We’ve begun the largest deportation operation in American history.”

Opening with a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” the conference saw Trump bask in audience chants of “USA! USA!” He referred to his administration’s overhaul of government as a mandate from voters to take action against what he characterized as “corrupt forces” in Washington. “We took away their power. We took back our country,” Trump asserted.

Trump, reflecting on his victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, stated his belief that he had broken his opponents and even reality itself. “Defeat meant ruin, disgrace, and prison,” he said. “Victory meant what Trump’s cheerleaders call the greatest comeback in political history.”

During the address, Trump revisited familiar themes, including critiques of former President Joe Biden, whom he labeled as “the worst president in the history of our country.” He stated, “Every single thing he touched turned to [expletive].” The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, underscoring the rally-like atmosphere.

Throughout the speech, Trump maintained an aggressive tone toward his political adversaries. “The Democrats are radical-left Marxists, war-mongers, and corrupt special interests,” he said, eliciting boos from the crowd when he mentioned Biden and Harris. He also mocked media figures like MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, calling them a “threat to democracy” while promoting conservative media personalities who support his agenda.

Trump’s narrative included a focus on international relations, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He made headlines with his comments suggesting that Ukraine had started the war and downplayed the need for U.S. involvement alongside European allies. “I think we’re pretty close to a deal, and we better be close to a deal,” he stated about efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine, while praising his direct approach to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The conference included notable attendees such as Polish President Andrzej Duda and Argentine President Javier Milei, both of whom received praise from Trump during his speeches. He referred to Duda as “a fantastic man and a great friend of mine.” Each leader echoed Trump’s calls for an America-first agenda.

Toward the conclusion of his lengthy address, Trump quoted Capt. John Paul Jones, proclaiming, “I have not yet begun to fight!” This resonated with the crowd, who responded by chanting “Fight! Fight! Fight!” signaling their support for his combative rhetoric and future endeavors.

In a move that showcased his administration’s method of governance, Trump mentioned the role of Elon Musk in facilitating federal workforce reductions, stating that Musk had requested all federal employees account for their productivity. The president’s ambitious agenda and ambitious promises highlight a significant shift within the Republican Party toward a more Trump-centric roadmap.