Trump vows to ‘finish’ mission, even if indicted
- ‘We’re going to see battle through to ultimate victory. We’re going to make America great again’, former US president told political conference in Washington
- But polls show many Republican voters want alternative 2024 nominee like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, seen as better able to defeat President Joe Biden
Donald Trump vowed that the Republican Party would never return to what it was before he transformed it in his image, and he promised to “finish what we started” in another term, even if he is indicted and despite polls showing many Republican voters want an alternative.
Trump said in the keynote speech to close the Conservative Political Action Conference in suburban Washington that the party will never go back to being a party of “globalists” and “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) ruled by “freaks, neocons, globalists, open border zealots and fools”.
The former president is facing multiple investigations, including for his handling of classified documents and his role in the January 2021 insurrection, but he told reporters before the speech “absolutely I wouldn’t even think about leaving” the race if he is indicted.
“We are going to finish what we started,” Trump said to an enthusiastic crowd in a ballroom that was about two-thirds full. “We’re going to complete the mission, we’re going see this battle through to ultimate victory. We’re going to make America great again.”
Trump made his biggest public appearance since announcing his third White House bid in November, serving as the main attraction at CPAC after many of his potential 2024 rivals including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice-President Mike Pence skipped it.
The only other declared or potential candidates who spoke at the four-day event were former Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, anti-ESG crusader Vivek Ramaswamy, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson.