Former President Donald Trump delivered his first major speech since leaving office at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, March 4th. He used the opportunity to repeat his baseless claims of election fraud, attack his political enemies, and hint at a possible 2024 run.
Trump’s speech was met with cheers and chants from his loyal supporters, who overwhelmingly backed him as their preferred 2024 GOP presidential candidate in a CPAC straw poll. Trump won 59% of the vote, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 19%1.
But while Trump may still enjoy strong popularity among the conservative base, his divisive rhetoric and false allegations are likely to hurt the Republican Party’s chances of winning back power in Washington. His speech showed why he is still a problem for the GOP.
First, Trump’s obsession with relitigating the 2020 election undermines the legitimacy of American democracy and fuels political violence. He continued to insist that he won the election by a landslide and that it was stolen from him by a corrupt system. He also praised the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6th as “patriots” who were "fighting for our country"2.
These claims have been rejected by dozens of courts, state officials, and even some of his former allies. They also pose a security threat to lawmakers and public servants who have been targeted by extremists inspired by Trump’s lies. By refusing to accept reality and move on, Trump is endangering the stability of the nation and eroding public trust in its institutions.
Second, Trump’s attacks on his fellow Republicans alienate potential allies and voters who do not share his views. He singled out several GOP lawmakers who voted to impeach or convict him for inciting the insurrection, calling them “weak”, “ineffective”, and “disloyal”. He also mocked former Vice President Mike Pence for not overturning the election results when he presided over Congress’s certification of Biden’s victory3.
These remarks show that Trump is more interested in settling personal scores than in advancing a conservative agenda. They also risk splitting the Republican Party into factions that could weaken its electoral prospects. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 37% of Americans identify as Republicans or lean Republican, compared to 49% who identify as Democrats or lean Democratic4. The GOP cannot afford to lose more supporters or fail to attract new ones.
Third, Trump’s lack of vision for the future limits his appeal beyond his core base. He did not offer any concrete policy proposals or solutions for the challenges facing America today. Instead, he focused on criticizing President Biden’s administration and promoting his own achievements. He also made unrealistic promises such as building another 200 miles of border wall or sending troops to cities plagued by crime5.
These statements show that Trump is out of touch with reality and has no clear direction for where he wants to take America next. They also fail to address the issues that matter most to Americans right now such as COVID-19 recovery, health care reform, climate change, and racial justice. The GOP needs to offer a positive and compelling alternative to Biden’s agenda, not just a negative and nostalgic one.
In conclusion, Trump’s CPAC speech proves why he is still a problem for the GOP. He is divisive, dishonest, and destructive. He does not represent the values or interests of most Americans. He is holding back the Republican Party from evolving and adapting to changing times. The GOP should distance itself from him if it wants to regain credibility and relevance in American politics.