At the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, Donald Trump delivered a speech underscoring his commitment to shrinking government and tackling perceived inefficiencies within federal agencies. The event, which gathered thousands of conservatives, also featured Argentina’s President Javier Milei, known for his radical austerity measures.
During Milei's address, he rallied support for substantial cuts to government size and echoed Trump's previous agenda of dismantling what he deemed wasteful agencies. "The only rational path is to shrink the size of the state as much as possible," stated Milei, drawing parallels to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been tasked with eliminating wasteful spending.
Trump, who praised Milei, reiterated his commitment to large-scale reforms, saying, "We're very proud of you," to the Argentine leader. Each speaker emphasized the need for drastic measures to trim the federal workforce and streamline government operations, tapping firmly on the nostalgia of Trump's first term, where he often focused on similar themes.
His speech included pointed criticisms of the current administration, particularly targeting immigration and foreign aid policies. Addressing the crowd, Trump embellished, "They’re pouring [into our country]... If I weren’t elected, there would be nobody in Haiti anymore," illustrating his hardline stance on immigration.
Milei's presence was not the only highlight of the conference; numerous attendees were also vocal about their unwavering support for Trump. One could feel the energetic atmosphere as Trump recounted personal anecdotes and demonstrated preparedness to reiterate his earlier pledges of deportation and border security.
The presence of Gregory Yetman, who has gained notoriety for leading police on a manhunt after the Capitol riots, also exemplified the fervor within the CPAC audience. Wearing his old prison identification card during the event, he shouted, "Thank you for the pardon!" lending insight to how Trump's policies resonate with some of those previously involved in controversial activities.
Trump’s relationship with Musk featured prominently as he claimed Musk’s DOGE was key to identifying "waste, fraud and abuse" within government spending. While he boasted of canceling multiple immigration protections earlier this week, he reassured his base about upcoming efforts to speed up deportations.
Among the cheering crowd, former National Border Patrol Council president Brandon Judd echoed support for Trump's policies, stating, "Only President Trump has the courage to put this nation on the right path.” Judd's sentiment pivoted perfectly with Trump’s call for more aggressive immigration enforcement.
The speeches at CPAC offered insights not just from Trump and Milei but also from senior aides and supporters who marked the event as significant as it builds momentum heading toward the 2024 elections. Certain themes continued to put elements such as national security and immigration at the forefront of their political strategy.
Milei’s radical approaches were summarized well when he commented on governmental disorder, saying, “To go office by office, keep what is working, and get rid of the rest.” He stated this notion quite symbolically with the aid of the chainsaw he had previously used during his campaign.
Trump encouraged the audience to see upcoming negotiations with foreign countries, particularly Ukraine, through the lens of resource acquisition, claiming, “Thanks to Trump, I’m no longer a felon,” referencing the need for America to strike beneficial deals. Every word seemed to reinforce his earlier sentiments about prioritizing American interests over the country’s aid initiatives.
Seeking to end on a high note, Trump evoked the core values of his supporters and filled the room with assertions of resilience and determination as he promised, “We’re going to clean things up and make America great again once more.”
Indeed, CPAC illustrated the underlying unity and enthusiasm among conservative factions, with Trump reaffirming his influence and relevance within the party. The strong turnout and reaction to his speech set the stage for what many believe is Trump’s pathway toward reestablishing his position as the Republican nominee for future elections.