Addressing the four-day Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, D.C., Trump highlights his accomplishments since taking office on January 20, criticizing political adversaries, including his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump praised his administration’s sweeping effort to fire federal workers and reduce government size, stating “every single thing” Biden touched turned to disaster and earning a standing ovation.
He also declared that he and future administrations would “forge a new and lasting political majority” in American politics.
Other CPAC highlights:
Bannon’s Nazi-like Salute
Former Trump political adviser Steve Bannon is accused of making a Nazi salute at the end of his CPAC speech. He claimed it was a “wave,” drawing comparisons to a similar gesture made by Elon Musk.
This prompted backlash and forced Jordan Bardella, President of the French far-right National Rally, to cancel his CPAC speech.
Musk Waves a Chainsaw
Elon Musk, at CPAC, waved a chainsaw while expressing willingness to audit the Federal Reserve and criticizing Democrats. He wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and initiated a discussion about reducing government expenses and workforce.
Musk then received a chainsaw from Argentinian President Javier Milei, engraved with Milei’s slogan “Long live liberty, damn it.”
Milei Bats for Small Government
Javier Milei encourages the crowd to support Trump’s efforts to reduce the size of the government, comparing his methods to the actions of his “dear friend” Elon Musk.
Milei also endorsed the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it “wasteful” and expressing support for Musk’s vision to cut down the government “office by office.”
Despite Milei’s advocacy for smaller government, Argentina’s poverty hit nearly 53%, classifying his policy as a “disaster,” according to analysts.
Meloni Says Europe is Not Lost
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, addressing CPAC via video link, reassures of close U.S.-Europe ties under the Trump administration, despite rising tensions over Ukraine’s fate.
Meloni attributes Europe’s struggles to “ruling classes” and “mainstream media,” stating Europe is “not lost” and expressing confidence in Trump’s leadership to prevent divisions between Europe and the U.S.
