President Donald Trump made a powerful return to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), delivering an electrifying speech that reaffirmed his leadership in the Republican Party and emphasized its role as the “proud voice” of hardworking Americans.
Addressing a crowd of approximately 1,000 supporters at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, Trump declared that the GOP is now defined by “common sense” and an unwavering commitment to the America First agenda.
Trump Positions the GOP as the Party of Common Sense
“Our party is the proud voice of hardworking people of all backgrounds, and I believe one of the key reasons for this—not because we are conservative—is that we embody common sense,” Trump stated, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.
He credited his administration for assembling a dedicated team of “fighters and visionaries” actively working to uphold conservative principles and restore America’s economic and political strength.
Trump emphasized that his administration has been pushing back against fraudsters, liars, cheaters, globalists, and deep-state bureaucrats, vowing that such forces would no longer dictate the nation’s policies.
His speech reinforced his central campaign message: reclaiming American sovereignty, reducing government overreach, and prioritizing domestic interests.
Promising a Stronger America: Trump’s Vision for 2025 and Beyond
During his 80-minute address, Trump painted a vision for America post-2025, promising to reverse the failures of the Biden administration.
“As of January 20, 2025, the troubling times of high taxes, excessive regulations, rampant inflation, blatant corruption, misuse of government, and utter incompetence—those will be behind us. Yet we cannot stop now! We will strive forward every single day!” Trump proclaimed.
Channeling the spirit of Revolutionary War naval commander Captain John Paul Jones, he declared, “I have not yet begun to fight!”
As the crowd erupted into chants of “Fight! Fight! Fight!”, Trump reinforced his call to action: “For the next four years, we will be strong, work diligently, and continue to fight and win!”
CPAC Audience Responds with Enthusiasm
The CPAC audience was filled with passionate supporters, including individuals who had received pardons from Trump after participating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest.
The patriotic energy in the room was palpable, with attendees chanting “USA! USA! USA!” throughout the speech.
Trump Takes Aim at President Biden and Democratic Policies
Never one to shy away from political attacks, Trump harshly criticized President Joe Biden, branding him as the “worst president in our country’s history.”
In a controversial remark, he stated:
“I don’t mind saying it. Jimmy Carter passed away, and he felt relief because it’s not even close.”
He further blamed Biden’s policies for economic instability, increasing crime rates, and failures in border security.
Trump Slams Biden’s Immigration Policies
Immigration policies were also a key focus. Trump accused Biden of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens.
His stance was echoed by former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan, who spoke later at the conference and dismissed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s qualifications, stating:
“It’s not an insult if it’s true.”
Their remarks underscored ongoing Republican criticisms of progressive immigration policies.
Prominent Figures Join Trump at CPAC
The conference featured a lineup of conservative heavyweights, many of whom have been close allies of Trump.
Vice President JD Vance spoke optimistically about the potential for peace in Europe, despite prior tensions between the Trump administration and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Other notable figures included several former Trump Cabinet members, reinforcing the Trump administration’s continued influence over the Republican Party.
Elon Musk Makes a Statement in ‘Dark MAGA’ Fashion
A surprise moment at CPAC came when billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made a highly-publicized appearance, dressed in what he dubbed a “Dark MAGA” outfit.
Musk used the opportunity to advocate for:
- Federal budget cuts
- Streamlined government operations
- Increased efficiency
