NATIONAL HARBOR, United States – On February 22, US President Donald Trump was met with loud cheers and chants of “USA! USA!” at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held near Washington. The hall was packed with supporters, many wearing red “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hats.
Dressed in his signature blue suit, Trump delivered a nearly 1½ hour speech where he criticized “globalists” and a “sinister group” he described as radical leftists and corrupt politicians. He claimed they had controlled the country before his return to power.
During his speech, a small group of supporters shouted “J-6! J-6!” in gratitude for Trump’s promise to pardon those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots on his first day back in office.
Trump also took a jab at President Joe Biden, who is 82 years old. Trump, at 78, joked that anything Biden touched turned into a disaster, which drew laughter and cheers from the crowd.
Many attendees expressed their admiration for Trump after the speech. Martha Weaver, a retiree, said she found him “genuine” and remarked that he is a billionaire who feels like a regular person. “You could probably have a normal conversation with him,” she said.
Another retiree, Theresa Menz, praised Trump, stating, “He loves America, he loves people, he loves life.” She emphasized that he prioritizes the needs of the citizens.
CPAC has been around for many years but has increasingly become a celebration of Trump, especially with his recent return to the White House. Everywhere at the National Harbor, you could see his image – from life-sized cardboard cutouts to sequined vests with slogans like “Trump: The Golden Era.”
Carol Newton, proudly wearing a “Trump Was Right” T-shirt, shared that the month following his return has been a “whirlwind.” After four years under Biden, she felt a positive change was necessary and welcomed Trump’s leadership.
Many attendees showed their support in various ways, like wearing themed apparel or showing off unique nail art sporting Trump’s name. Clark Page, a retiree from Alabama, remarked on how happy the crowd was to have Trump back as president, adding that his effectiveness surpasses even that of President Reagan.
While attendees were generally enthusiastic about Trump, some noted that the convention felt less crowded compared to past years. Rex Clark, a 39-year-old military contractor, observed, “I hope everybody’s not being complacent.”
James Ong, a university student attending his third CPAC, felt the energy this year was lower than in previous gatherings, noting a shift in the demographics of attendees towards older generations.
