Trump Calls on Republicans to Unite at CPAC
During a speech that extended over an hour, Trump emphasized the measures he took in his first month in office.
OXON HILL, Md.—On February 22, President Donald Trump addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), showcasing his achievements from the initial month of his presidency.
He called for Republican unity and stated that Democrats lost their confidence following the November election.
“We stripped them of their power. We stripped them of their confidence,” Trump declared to the enthusiastic audience.
Though he observed that Democrats have maintained their solidarity, Trump pointed out that some Republicans occasionally falter in this regard.
“Occasionally, you have one that seeks a little attention or something. I can’t quite put my finger on it,” Trump commented. “It’s quite disheartening. I just can’t stand to see it.”
However, he commended Sen. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for their “fantastic job” during the previous month.
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“We must remain united because what we’ve accomplished has never been achieved before.”
Trump delivered his remarks on the concluding day of the CPAC summit, which took place from February 19 to 22.
In his hour-long address, Trump outlined a comprehensive list of initiatives he has pursued in the past month, particularly regarding enhanced border security.
He claimed to have initiated “the largest deportation operation in American history,” surpassing that conducted under President Dwight Eisenhower.
The United States “will not become a dumping ground,” he asserted.
Next, he praised Elon Musk, who he appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with identifying and reporting on waste and fraud within the federal apparatus.
President Donald Trump speaks during the annual CPAC in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 22, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
“We aim to downsize the government, making it more efficient. We want to attract the best talent,” Trump stated. “If they don’t come to work, we’ll let them go. Essentially, attendance at the office is mandatory.”
Before his speech, Trump met with Polish President Andrzej Duda to discuss the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.
This week, Trump had a back-and-forth exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, later mentioning that a deal is nearly complete that would allow the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for the financial assistance provided so far.
While swearing in Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on February 21, Trump told reporters, “We’re hoping to finalize an agreement in the near future,” adding, “I believe we are quite close.”
During his CPAC address, Trump reiterated his expectation that Ukraine would reciprocate for the financial aid the U.S. has extended amidst the war.
“I expect something in return for all the money we’ve allocated. And I intend to work towards settling the conflict,” he remarked.
Trump is a regular speaker at CPAC, which is touted as the largest and most influential gathering of conservatives globally.
Prominent conservatives frequently attend the conference. This year’s event featured speakers like Vice President JD Vance, Musk, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
As is tradition, CPAC conducted a straw poll among conservatives on the final day of the summit to determine the leading candidate for the upcoming election. JD Vance emerged as the frontrunner for the 2028 Republican nomination, garnering 61 percent of the votes, followed by conservative activist Steve Bannon at 12 percent, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 7 percent, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 3 percent.
In his address, Trump asserted that Republicans will “build a new and enduring political majority” that will influence American politics for decades to come.
“I believe we’re set to perform exceptionally well in the midterms.”
