In his first public speech since leaving office, former President Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) hearing that he would not start a third party because “we have the Republican party.”
Why it’s important: The former president aims to consolidate himself as the “alleged 2024 candidate” of the Republicans, as his main candidates, including former members of his administration, face the challenge of running against the Republican Party’s most popular politician.
- Trump made it clear he was not going anywhere and treated his CPAC speech as one of his MAGA rallies, bouncing on issues, criticizing political opponents and listing long-standing grievances.
- After predicting that President Biden “would decisively lose the White House in four years,” Trump said he could run again in 2024, while repeating the false claim he won in the 2020 election: “Actually, as you know, they just lost the White House. Who knows, I might even decide to win them for the third time, okay? ”
- “These elections were called,” Trump falsely claimed, before calling for strong restrictions on email and absentee voting.
- Unable to do so on Twitter, Trump spent much of his speech sowing doubts about the election and provoking the same anger among his base that sparked violence in the Capitol on 1/6.
What to see: 2024 contenders like Mike Pompeo, Nikki Haley and Mike Pence, two of whom skipped the CPAC this year, will have to throw their hats in the ring before their potential challengers are in charge.
- Former Trump administration officials no longer have the public platform needed to maintain their relevance on a day-to-day basis.
Trump’s mocking language and the refusal to occupy a back seat also contributes even more to the factions we see taking shape within the Republican Party.
- Mitch McConnell had to eat crow after being beaten by Trump after his scathing comments about the former president’s role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The minority leader said he would “absolutely” support Trump if he were the 2024 Republican candidate.
- Mitt Romney, arguably Trump’s biggest detractor in Congress, said this week that he would likely win the 2024 nomination if he ran.