Trump’s speech should serve as a reminder for all of us that even though he isn’t in the White House, he’s not done fighting for us.
By Brett Kimball
Former President Donald Trump made his much-anticipated return to the political arena on Sunday, delivering remarks to attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida. Trump’s powerhouse, hour-and-a-half long speech roused the crowd in the way that only he can, closing out the conference and re-cementing himself as the leader and figure-head of the Republican Party. This was the type of course-setting leadership his supporters had needed; and yet again, Trump delivered.
President Trump began his remarks with one simple question, “Do you miss me yet?”
I certainly do, and judging by the roar of the crowd, they share the same sentiment.
The speech that followed was a breath of fresh air; pointed and devastating swipes to the Biden administration and their failures contrasted with his achievements and an outlining of his goals for the future of the party. All of which was, of course, punctuated with Trump’s particular brand of humor, adding some levity to it all.
Trump paid his respects to the great Rush Limbaugh, and went on to almost immediately dispel any and all rumors of his intentions to start a new, third party to challenge the GOP. He correctly stated that this would only serve to divide the red vote and guarantee endless one-party rule. He dubbed any reports of his intentions to the contrary as “fake news” and instead reaffirmed his commitment to reforming and rebuilding the Republican Party from within.
The movement, he reaffirmed, “is far from being over,” and made a promise to his supporters to “fight right by your side.”
Of course, he continued to make claims of election fraud and stolen votes, which will continue to be highly controversial, but most of his time was spent looking positively and enthusiastically to the future. Interspersed however with his outlining of future plans for the GOP, were plenty of well-founded swipes at the Biden administration and their many failures.
“We all knew that the Biden administration was going to be bad, but none of us even imagined just how bad they would be and how far left they would go.”
He addressed Biden’s cancelling of the keystone pipeline, attacks on women’s rights and sports in favor of transgender ideology, incorrect claims about vaccine progress, horrible economic policy, and other Biden blunders. Trump also honed in on the newly reinvigorated “self-inflicted national crisis” at our southern border. Trump criticized Biden for halting border wall construction and attempting to freeze deportations, hindering ICE’s ability to protect our country.
The purpose of Trump’s remarks however, wasn’t just to bash the newly installed Biden administration, but to contrast their failures, with his accomplishments. He touted his numerous economic accomplishments, as well as those related to the unprecedented, historically rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine. He spoke of Biden’s rejoining of the Paris Climate Accords as well as the World Health Organization, highlighting the unfair aspects of both which favor other countries over the U.S.
Hearing former President Trump come out and speak on the issues that really matter to everyday Americans was refreshing for me and millions of others. Rather than fear-mongering about the China-virus, he called attention to Biden’s fealty to the teachers unions, which he stated as the one and only reason America’s children still aren’t able to return to school. He talked about real issues such as rising rates of depression and suicide due to lockdowns and bad policy, rapidly rising gas prices, and the Biden team’s annihilation of tens-of-thousands of jobs for middle class Americans. These things matter and yet, nobody seems willing talk about them, especially on the left. Trump continues to brand himself as the “people’s president” he proved himself to be over the last four years.
His keenly directed ire wasn’t reserved for just his opponents from the left; he had plenty of criticisms to level against the RINO’s in congress as well. Trump assured that he would be backing primary candidates for those “Republicans” who have shown themselves to be subservient to the Democrats and weak-kneed against America-last policies. Here’s looking at you, Mitch.
Trump even quipped, in reference to the 2024 election, that he “may have to beat them for a third time.”
Though said seemingly in jest, the thunderous applause and cheers from the audience make obvious the enthusiasm for the idea which will only grow over the next four years. Time will tell, but it seems the Don may be gearing up for a comeback.
Many impassioned patriots, especially younger conservatives like myself, have had a tough time seeing the positive side of politics over the last couple months. With the left now possessing the control they’ve so desired, and all levers of institutional power seemingly being leveraged against us, the forgotten Americans who Trump fought so hard for have been cast aside once more; branded unjustly as terrorist sympathizers and traitors, only to be condemned or silenced completely. With all that’s happened, it has been tough, for many, to find things to be hopeful about. Not anymore.
Trump’s speech should serve as a reminder for all of us that even though he isn’t in the White House, he’s not done fighting for us. The movement to make America great again is far from over and Trump powerfully reasserted himself as the figurehead of the new conservative movement. As Biden continues to push his progressive campaign promises, re-enter disastrous trade deals, kill American jobs, bleed the middle class dry, and ensure America’s return to the Middle-East in traditional Democrat/Neo-Con fashion; Trump and his base grow in numbers, enthusiasm and fervent resilience.
We may have lost the White House this time, but the political pendulum is due for a swing back in our direction. If we can only rise to meet it, the Democrats could be in for a disastrous midterm election cycle. In his description of the idea of “Trump-ism,” the former president and current leader of the Republican Party said this:
“What it means is great trade deals… low taxes and eliminating job killing regulations… strong borders, but people coming into our country based on a system of merit… no riots in the streets, it means law enforcement…very strong protection for the 2nd Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms… It means support for the forgotten men and women who have been taken advantage of for so many years.”
As one of those forgotten Americans, that’s the platform I want to see put in place for our country. The old GOP ways of surrendering on cultural issues in favor of insignificant policy gains, are long dead in the eyes of the conservatives who vote for them. It is our responsibility to ensure that those elected officials who refuse to fight for America-first ideas in all elements of society, are left in the dust when it comes time for reelection campaigns. Their empty promises mean nothing to us; we’ve seen what can be accomplished under Trump’s leadership and policies and we aren’t going back.
The former president concluded with, “With your help, we will take back the house; we will win the senate; and then a Republican president will make a triumphant return to the White House. And I wonder who that will be?”
The Trump card is back in play, and it’s time for all of us to get to work.
Brett Kimball is a college student and conservative political activist from Gaithersburg, MD.
