The ex-president wants to move back into the White House. At the CPAC, the annual convention of right-wing conservatives near Washington, Trump must use the home game so that his sluggish campaign can gain momentum.
There are still two and a half hours until he is supposed to enter the stage. At the Gaylord National Convention Center near Washington, more and more people are gathering in front of the Chesapeake Rooms. They have the cameras ready and try to see something through the small, still open door. He should be in there, a daughter whispers to her mother. Lots of people with the red “Make America Great Again” hat are on the move.
On the main stage of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, right-wing ex-President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro and Arizona midterm election loser Kari Lake will speak, but everyone is waiting for the 45th President of the United States: Donald J. Trump. He is also the main speaker in 2023.
His previous speakers heat up the audience. Bolsonaro raves about a gender ideology that is rampant, talks about gun laws that he would simplify and when he says he would not force anyone to be vaccinated, people are blown away. Likewise with the argument of the stolen election in Brazil. A motif that you know how to deal with in the hall on this Saturday afternoon – with thunderous cheers. Bolsonaro, 67, also says his mission is not over yet.
Which Kari Lake also claims for itself. Even though the Republican lost her election to governor in Arizona in November, fans exiting Convention Hall chanted, “We love you, Kari.” The former TV presenter wants to put herself in the right light with the assembled audience. In her case, that means being an unconditional fighter for the great cause, the Maga movement. There were people, she says, who asked her the price. What do you have to pay for her to leave politics? Not for 1, not for 10, not for 100 million dollars she would do it, replies the 53-year-old. That sounds like selfless patriotism. That’s exactly what gets a storm of applause from this audience.
The final stage of the warm-up is the polls. Anyone who has purchased a card has voting rights in the CPAC polls. Just over 2000 people cast their vote and the result is clear. 62 percent want him: Donald J. Trump. That’s seven percentage points less than the result at last year’s event, but Ron de Santis lagged behind in second place. Just 20 percent voted for the governor from Florida. The applause when his name is mentioned is nevertheless remarkable: not effusive, but you can tell there are some DeSantis fans in the congress hall.
Then the event director starts the song “Gloria” by Laura Branigan. Significantly louder than anything heard in the hall the day before. A patriotic film clip is shown, which at the end announces “the next President of the USA”: Donald Trump. Both can rely on each other: Trump gives the cheering audience his applauding gestures of humility and thanks, the people prepare him a reception that makes it clear to him: Here you are at home. The room is full of red Make America Great Again hats.
As the crowd quietens, Trump begins. At the beginning in an amazingly matter-of-fact calm tone. But the content suits the 76-year-old. If he were in power, he would end the Ukraine war in a day. After all, he is the only candidate who can simply prevent a third world war, says Trump. Of course not without giving the NATO countries a classic broadside. Only those who pay more for it would get protection. He has found a new name for himself, he promises his followers in the hall: “I am your warrior, I am your justice, I am your retribution.”
Trump announced a good 16 weeks ago that he wanted to run for the presidency again. But it is expected that there will be a number of opponents. The most promising, Ron de Santis, was not at the CPAC conference this year. In his speech, Trump leaves no doubt that any alternative to him represents an establishment “to which we will never return”. It is now the last battle, he claims, arguing with his experience from the first term: “Now I have experience and I know the people in Washington.”
When Trump speaks, it’s quiet in the convention center. No matter what topic the ex-president touches on, there is rarely a rush of jubilation. The applause is loudest when it comes to migration and Trump declares that he wants to start the largest deportation campaign in the country’s history. But throughout the speech, you didn’t feel like there was that moment when Trump cranked it up and electrified the audience. With the words “Make America great again!” he finishes his speech. As soon as you say them, a large number of visitors flee the hall. Trump is still on the stage and waves to the audience.
Leading Republicans blame Trump for poor midterm election performance. Big financiers have been orienting themselves towards De Santis for quite some time. The CPAC hall had several hundred free seats in the back of Trump’s speech. No momentum was created by the speech. This Saturday evening showed one thing: Although it is too early to say goodbye, it will not be a sure-fire success for Donald Trump to go into the next presidential election again as a Republican candidate. And he hasn’t won it yet.
