Former President Donald Trump has spent some time at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL since leaving the White House. On February 28, he made his first appearance since President Biden’s Inauguration. He gave his first speech in months at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, FL.

The streets were filled with supporters holding Trump signs, flags, and apparel. He began his speech addressing the crowd saying “Do you miss me yet?” He then went on to explain his thoughts about the past for years during his presidency and his hopes for the future. With this, Trump was not hesitant to share his hopes for the future of the Republican party. 

“I stand before you today to declare that the incredible journey we began together four years ago is far from over,” he said according to BBC News. 

Trump also made headlines as he denounced the idea that he would be starting his own party in the future, a rumor that had been circling for months. He instead teased the idea that he would be running for president in the 2024 Presidential Election. He also continued to reiterate false claims previously made that there was fraud in the 2020 Election.

 “Actually you know they just lost the White House. But who knows – who knows? I may even decide to beat them for a third time, OK?” Trump said according to BBC News.  

At the convention, Trump was quick to slam the Democratic party and share his thoughts of their recent actions. He spent a majority of the speech doing a recap on his accomplishments throughout his presidency, as well as raising his concerns for President Biden’s presidency. 

Additionally, Trump discussed his concern for the current handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He called for President Biden to end all closures and fully reopen the country. According to ABC News, he called the closures a “scandal of the highest order and one of the most craven acts by any president in our lifetimes.” Also in regards to the handling of the pandemic, he made statements directed towards President Biden’s Chief Medical Advisor on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci. He implied that Dr. Fuaci contradicted himself and said, “First, Fauci said you don’t need masks, no masks, no good. Then all of a sudden, now he wants double masks.” Trump implied that his handling of the pandemic was much better than what is currently happening, and he would have been better suited for the job than President Biden. 

Another major part of his speech was his usage of the term “Trumpism” for the first time. He defined it as “great deals” and “strong borders.” He added that the movement is about loving America and the belief that the country is superb. However, many feel as though he contradicted his statements about the unification of the Republican Party because he attacked Republican members of Congress during his speech as well. 

Trump named Republican members of Congress who voted for his impeachment and made belittling statements surrounding their character. One being Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. According to BBC News, he described Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, one who voted for his impeachment, as “a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack.” 

Trump’s speech was filled with many shocking statements that caught the attention of people across the country. He has not yet spoken again since his February 28 speech, and people are unsure of what is to come in the future of former President Donald Trump.