President Trump

2023 - 3 - 6

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Image courtesy of "The Atlantic"

I've covered CPAC for a decade. I've never seen it more dead. (The Atlantic)

One thing can be said for the proprietors of the MAGA Mall: They know their brand. The right-wing-merch retailer's setup was among the most impressive at ...

“He’s kind of the only one who comes to mind offhand.” When I asked him who he thought of when he pictured the future of conservatism, he answered quickly: DeSantis. And a mock Oval Office—adorned with various photos of Trump—was available for selfies. To recapture that magic, Dougherty wrote, “Trump needs to re-create the iconoclastic thrill of supporting him, the empowering sense that he is an instrument for crushing the establishment in both parties.” Now their rhetoric about “deconstructing the administrative state” and “draining the swamp” just sounded like white noise. There were T-shirts with Trump as Superman and T-shirts with Trump as the Terminator and—because even the most patriotic T-shirt designers eventually run out of ideas—T-shirts with Trump as the Geico lizard. For 2024, he likes DeSantis, the Florida governor, and so do most of his friends. “Someone said to me, ‘We all wanted an excuse not to go, and Schlapp gave it to us,’” the operative said. My colleague John Hendrickson, who attended on Saturday, [wrote](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/03/donald-trump-cpac-speech-message/673288/) that the conference had a “1 a.m. Trump, in other words, has become the establishment—and the establishment, by definition, is boring. (Schlapp has denied the allegation.) But in an interview with NBC News, one anonymous GOP operative said that top Republicans had already come to view the conference as a chore in recent years. There were the MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN hats in “classic” red for those who prefer a timeless look, and the ULTRA MAGA 45 hats for the more trend-conscious.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Group Seeks Disbarment of a Trump-Aligned Lawyer for a Key Jan ... (The New York Times)

Prominent lawyers filed a scathing ethics complaint against Stefan Passantino, who represented Cassidy Hutchinson in the early stages of the House ...

[John Eastman](https://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/News/News-Releases/state-bar-announces-john-eastman-ethics-investigation), [Kenneth Chesebro](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/politics/kenneth-chesebro-trump-fake-electors.html) and [Rudolph W. Giuliani](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/24/nyregion/giuliani-law-license-suspended-trump.html). [It was a new start](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/23/us/jan-6-attendees.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-capitol-mob&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc). Here is a close look at [how the attack unfolded](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/us/politics/jan-6-timeline.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-capitol-mob&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_top_links_recirc). [The response](https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/statement-provided-from-passantino-s-lawyer-re-ethics-complaint/64443ff96e0da798/full.pdf) portrayed that complaint as a smear and disparaged its significance because Ms. “Unlike the other Trump lawyers, who crossed lines in what they did for their client, the complaint here alleges that Passantino betrayed Hutchinson by encouraging her to lie under oath and obstruct Congress,” Mr. 6 committee how the president had urged armed supporters to the Capitol and did not care about the potential for violence in the hours leading up to the riot. “The Office of Disciplinary Counsel should promptly initiate an investigation of Mr. Cassidy’s allegation that his advice to say little to the panel was accompanied by assurances that she would get a “really good job in ‘Trump world.’” The latter referred in part to Ms. Trump’s conduct in the lead-up to the attacks on the Capitol, Trump’s political action committee, violated his own professional duty, along with a host of other ethical requirements, by putting the interests of a third party over that of his client.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Opinion | It Was Donald Trump's CPAC. (No One Else Came.) (The New York Times)

At the four-day conclave of MAGA conservatives, only former President Trump provided a jolt of excitement.

But in 2023, with empty tables and wide expanses of the convention center left unoccupied, you couldn’t help but feel that the magic of CPAC was running out. Maybe it was the gray weather. Maybe it was the lackluster 2022 midterm results for Republicans.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News"

Kari Lake Campaign Says She Wouldn't Be Trump's VP For The ... (Yahoo News)

The unsuccessful Arizona gubernatorial candidate won a straw poll at CPAC for the GOP vice presidential pick.

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Image courtesy of "AZCentral.com"

At CPAC, Donald Trump and Kari Lake turn Republican Party into ... (AZCentral.com)

Republicans who attended the politically cannibalistic CPAC conference over the weekend weren't just backbiting, they were frontbiting.

And saying in a speech, “We stand with JFK, Ronald Reagan, (former Trump political adviser) Steve Bannon. I was one of the first that endorsed her and supported her as a candidate, but this will set back the conservative movement for election integrity. Republicans weren’t just backbiting at this politically cannibalistic wingding, they were frontbiting. Instead of false personal attacks (I’m not paid by anyone to tweet for or against Kari, I own what I say – which can’t be said for your account), I’m simply engaging the merits … Vengeance is mine, sayeth the … And there was Donald Trump, of course, at his most maniacally messianic, promising to rain down his wrath on Biden, the media, communists, fellow Republican “RINOS,” and telling a crowd, “I am your warrior.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

How Trump's big lie played out on the CPAC stage (The Guardian)

In that regard the majority of conservatives here aligned themselves closely with the former president. But they also chose not to relitigate the 2020 election ...

We need to fix that before we have elections.” “It’s very hard to prosecute election fraud, so we need to start. Ahead of the panel on Saturday, Monk lamented that too many CPAC discussions focused on topics not as relevant to the conservative audience. In the event hallways, Bannon interviewed conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell, who was promoting an “election crime bureau”. Steve Bannon called out Fox News for “illegitimately calling” the race in November 2020 against Trump. But they also chose not to relitigate the 2020 election and looked ahead to the 2024 contest, repeatedly calling Trump the former and future president.

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Image courtesy of "Florida Politics"

As Ron DeSantis goes coast to coast, Donald Trump fumes (Florida Politics)

The Florida Governor continues to frustrate the former President. Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to look like a potential GOP front runner, and Donald Trump ...

[Gavin Newsom](https://floridapolitics.com/archives/571184-ron-desantis-gavin-newson-both-claim-freedom-as-election-mandates/) is a recurrent target for DeSantis, of course, and Golden State Republicans seem to like it. These are people who do not like hearing that we are a Nation In Decline, they only want to Make America Great Again — And we will do just that!!!” “The Club for No Growth didn’t ‘snub’ me at all, as was reported in the Fake News NYT. “CPAC last night was an amazing experience. I am ‘America First,’ and also want to protect Social Security and Medicare. [Conservative Political Action Conference](https://floridapolitics.com/archives/592751-trump-desantis-cpac/) where the former President couldn’t mention the Florida Governor’s name, Trump took to [Truth Social](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump) Sunday to offer a withering shot at “ [Ron DeSanctus](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/109973057697185323).” DeSantis, of course, skipped CPAC and addressed a competing [Club for Growth](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/03/politics/republican-donors-club-growth-ron-desantis/index.html) event in Florida before leaving for Texas and California over the weekend for well-received speeches.

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Image courtesy of "GPB"

Despite Republicans cooling on him, CPAC is still the Trump show (GPB)

The Conservative Political Action Conference wrapped up Saturday with a speech by former President Donald Trump. Conference-goers cheered Trump even though ...

"I think we need someone who's genuine, who can connect with the youth and connect in a way that tells them, we care about you and we don't just care about you because of your vote. "That's not the voting base in the primary, unfortunately. And, in the Republican primary, Mitchell doesn't envision GOP presidential candidates making a larger effort with younger voters. And this year's events come just months after the youngest branch of the electorate overwhelmingly voted for Democrats. To 18-year-old Anna Hopper from Arkansas, Republicans need to start welcoming more young people into the party. Though the group supported Trump during his 2020 campaign, it [publicly split](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/05/16/club-for-growth-trump-barnette-oz/) from him during the 2022 midterms when he began endorsing far-right candidates that the organization did not support. Donald Trump is going to be just as old as Joe Biden is right now. The event also faced an enthusiasm problem, noting [a drop in ticket sales](https://www.npr.org/2023/03/01/1160297874/many-would-be-presidential-candidates-will-skip-cpac-because-its-mired-in-scanda) compared to previous years. Let Trump get his four years in," Michael Boatman, who traveled to CPAC from Indiana, told NPR. DeSantis, a CPAC speaker in past years, is I think he should keep on trying to promote them. That is our task, that is our mission.

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Image courtesy of "Politico"

Once an albatross around Trump's neck, Jan. 6 is now taboo in the ... (Politico)

Former President Donald Trump speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The advantages for former President Donald Trump, if they do exist, ...

6 committee](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/22/trumps-jan-6-supporters-feted-at-his-mar-a-lago-campaign-launch-00070456) but [reportedly pleaded the Fifth](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/22/trumps-jan-6-supporters-feted-at-his-mar-a-lago-campaign-launch-00070456) when asked to testify about the events on that day. More than two years after the riot, the share of Republicans who disapprove of Trump supporters taking over the Capitol building has fallen to 49 percent, from 74 percent in 2021, according to a 6 a “non-event,” adding that the “real insurrection” was the riots that followed the death of George Floyd in 2020. 6 defendants](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/30/trump-pardon-jan6-defendants-00003450) and even [collaborated on a song with some of them](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/03/trump-jan-6-rioters-song/). Indeed, polls show that there just isn’t much of a constituency in the GOP primary for anyone criticizing Trump on Jan. “We want to move past him, and move past the awfulness, which culminated on January 6th. 6 in positive terms — and rally to the defense of people arrested following the riot. Alex Bruesewitz, a Republican strategist and influencer close to the Trumps, said others who could seek the nomination have shown they “don’t care” about Jan. And it was standing room only for a breakout session at the conference titled: “True Stories of January 6: The Prosecuted Speak.” Speakers included Jan. DeSantis once openly criticized “ [the rioting and disorder](https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/07/13/what-has-desantis-said-about-the-jan-6-insurrection/)” at the Capitol. [shot and killed by Capital police at the riot](https://apnews.com/article/capitol-insurrection-ashli-babbitt-c54d5327a1e2178237d54113dda1032d) as she tried to break down a door inside the building — appeared [on set](https://twitter.com/PaulIngrassia/status/1631716315256827904?s=20) with Donald Trump Jr. The Florida Governor had nothing to say about one of the most consequential political moments of the past few years: the Jan.

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Image courtesy of "Law & Crime"

Lawyers want Donald Trump ethics lawyers who represented former ... (Law & Crime)

An ethics complaint filed says that former Donald Trump ethics lawyer Stefan Passantino should be disbarred over his representation of Cassidy Hutchinson.

According to the complaint, Passantino also violated client confidentiality by talking about her testimony with two of his law firm partners who were representing Meadows, despite Hutchinson having “repeatedly and forcefully told him that she did not want him to do that.” “In the process, Mr. Hutchinson disclosing material facts concerning the events of January 6,” the complaint says, noting that Hutchinson’s interests, meanwhile, could only be served by “testimony that fulfilled her legal obligations and that minimized her exposure” to perjury or contempt of Congress charges. Passantino believed that the Trump interests could be served most effectively only by limiting the extent of any testimony by Ms. Passantino felt a powerful allegiance to others in the same matter in which he had agreed to represent Ms. It implies that Passantino preyed on one of Hutchinson’s vulnerabilities — specifically, that she was unemployed at the time and was looking for work. “We recognize that disbarment is an extreme sanction, that it is not the typical remedy for simple conflict of interest violations, and that it is often applied only after other sanctions have not deterred misconduct.” “He didn’t tell me to lie,” Hutchinson said of Passantino. Passantino brought up, for the first time, the issue of her ongoing job search. As Law&Crime [previously](https://lawandcrime.com/jan-6-committee/the-less-you-remember-the-better-cassidy-hutchinsons-deposition-transcripts-turn-up-the-heat-on-her-lawyer/) [reported](https://lawandcrime.com/jan-6-committee/cassidy-hutchinson-testified-she-saw-mark-meadows-burn-docs-in-white-house-fireplace-worried-hed-spark-a-fire-in-the-west-wing/), Hutchinson told the committee that Passantino discouraged her from being completely transparent and forthcoming with congressional investigators. [Cassidy Hutchinson](https://lawandcrime.com/?s=%22cassidy+hutchinson%22) in multiple hearings before the [now-disbanded](https://lawandcrime.com/?s=%22jan.+6+committee%22) House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. Donald Trump’s one-time ethics lawyer is facing a call for disbarment in the District of Columbia over his representation of a former White House aide who turned out to be a key witness in the congressional investigation into the Jan.

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Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

Kari Lake Speaks Out About Possibly Becoming Donald Trump's ... (Newsweek)

Defeated Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is emerging as one of the party's early favorites to become the Republican nominee for vice president, ...

I'm not running for president. But I'm not running for VP. By the time 2024 rolls around, she said, she'll be too busy with her position as Arizona's governor. 2 slot in the White House in 2024. [could run for Senate](https://www.newsweek.com/kari-lake-entertaining-major-run-senate-arizona-election-case-1779430) if she doesn't get a "decent ruling" in an ongoing lawsuit to overturn the election, she previously said she is "focused 100 percent" on her legal appeal, which she said could go ["all the way to the Supreme Court"](https://www.newsweek.com/kari-lake-vows-election-lawsuit-going-all-way-state-supreme-court-1776954) on the heels of a string of legal setbacks in Arizona. Over the weekend at the Conservative Action Political Conference (CPAC), Lake was the clear favorite at the annual gathering of party influencers, winning one-fifth of the vote in a straw poll of 28 candidates weighing whom attendees would most like to see elected to the No.

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Image courtesy of "The New Yorker"

The Serious Takeaway from CPAC: Trump and Trumpism Are Still a ... (The New Yorker)

Donald Trump departs during the Conservative Political Action Conference. Does treating Trump as a joke amount to repeating the same mistake that many observers ...

At a minimum, though, they suggest that we can’t afford to dismiss the continuing threat from Trump and what he represents, regardless of how absurd it sometimes seems. The “people” Trump was referring to are Republican voters, the vast majority of whom weren’t present at CPAC, or at the rival meeting this weekend in Palm Beach held by the Club for Growth, a conservative organization that has distanced itself from Trump. [Ron DeSantis](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/06/27/can-ron-desantis-displace-donald-trump-as-the-gops-combatant-in-chief), the Florida governor, who has not declared himself a Presidential candidate, running well behind him, at twenty-five per cent and twenty-eight per cent. It’s hard to say for sure, but a significant number of them still appear to support Trump despite the fact that his reëlection campaign has had a slow start. A bit later, Kari Lake, the former Phoenix news anchor who ran for governor of [Arizona](https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-southwest/why-arizona-is-a-hotbed-of-election-conspiracy-theories) last year, expanded upon her baseless claim that she was defrauded of victory, and said that she had just filed a lawsuit with the Arizona Supreme Court. Addressing COVID-19, Chang said that the Chinese government “deliberately spread it beyond its borders to America and to the world, and that means every coronavirus death in the United States is a murder.” Should we take such claims literally? But they represent an integral part of a right-wing movement that long ago gave up on liberal niceties like truth and respecting democratic outcomes, and which remains an unavoidable feature of the American political topography. Not so the speaker who followed him, the Trump donor and Big Lie promoter [Mike Lindell](https://www.newyorker.com/news/american-chronicles/the-election-official-who-tried-to-prove-stop-the-steal)—a.k.a. [said](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/trump-makes-his-case-in-pittsburgh/501335/) about [Donald Trump](https://www.newyorker.com/tag/donald-trump)—by Salena Zito, in The Atlantic—was that he should be taken seriously, not literally. (Jimmy Kimmel suggested that CPAC stands for “Clowns Periodically Assembling in Convention Centers.”) But what if treating Trump and his followers as a joke amounts to repeating the mistake that many political observers made in 2016? [January 8th](https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/cleaning-up-after-the-bolsonaristas-in-brasilia), Bolsonaro refrained from explicitly claiming that the Brazilian election, which international observers have said was transparent and safe, had been stolen. [Joe Biden](https://www.newyorker.com/tag/joe-biden) a criminal, insinuated that [Mitch McConnell](https://www.newyorker.com/tag/mitch-mcconnell) was a Chinese sympathizer, and pledged that, if reëlected, he would deliver “retribution” for those who have been “wronged or betrayed,” a victimized group in which he certainly places himself.

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Image courtesy of "Politico"

Never Trumpers rally in D.C., trying to find hope and a plan amid ... (Politico)

Donald Trump used his primetime stage at the CPAC conference this Saturday to taunt the Bush Republicans, globalists and neocons.

Indeed, Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump strategist, suggested that the way to restore sanity to the GOP would be for it to suffer “sustained electoral defeats.” At times, the proceedings had the feel of a collective therapy session — especially when it came to reliving the events of Jan. The latter aired a music video of a song the Jan. “And he was ashamed to have fought with me.” It’s a really tough period of time for our family.” Panels for the event included “Looking to 2024: Hope and Despair — but Mostly Despair” and “Can the GOP survive?” Over the course of some 20 panels and speeches, the tone bounced from upbeat to nostalgic to despondent. Her presence seemed, on the surface, like an attempt to troll Principles First organizers, who saw she registered and were anxious anticipating her arrival. A decade ago, many of the speakers at this year’s gathering were some of the party’s rising stars and top thinkers. The more immediate problem, however, may be that those in attendance don’t even agree on a way out of their conundrum. But it also provided a snapshot of how far the party has drifted in such a short period of time. But the programming also served to underscore the often-bleak, occasionally hopeless, existence that comes with being a modern day anti-Trump Republican.

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Image courtesy of "ABC"

Donald Trump's niece reveals scathing details about uncle (ABC)

Mary Trump, who wrote a scathing book about the former US President, describes him as an "insecure little boy who seeks attention".

For the latest information, search Mary Trump, who wrote a scathing book about the former US President, describes him as an "insecure little boy who seeks attention".

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

'We all thought he was an asshole': Mary Trump on Uncle Donald (The Sydney Morning Herald)

On November 9, 2016, while the rest of the world was digesting the news Donald Trump would be the 45th President of the United States, one woman was ...

“I don’t think he ever wanted the job but he wanted the position,” she said. What they should be saying is Donald Trump is a traitor to this country and we will do everything to find somebody else. And we can’t discount - I actually hate using this word - but he’s got charisma.” But he was ours. “We all thought he was an asshole. Let’s put it this way: it was a really bad morning.”

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Mary Trump: Ignore Donald at your peril - ABC Radio National (ABC News)

Despite impeachments and looming inditements, Donald Trump is still in with a strong chance to face Joe Biden at the 2024 U.S election.

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Image courtesy of "Democracy Now!"

Donald Trump Repeats Lies About 2020 Election in CPAC Keynote ... (Democracy Now!)

In Maryland, former President Trump was met with thunderous applause at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, where he delivered the keynote ...

And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution.” Donald Trump: “In 2016, I declared I am your voice. In Maryland, former President Trump was met with thunderous applause at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, where he delivered the keynote speech Saturday.

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Image courtesy of "PolitiFact"

PolitiFact - Fact-checking Donald Trump's 2023 CPAC speech about ... (PolitiFact)

Former President Donald Trump vowed to a Republican audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference to "finish.

[about 74 million](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/elections/2020)) than 2016 ( [about 63 million](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/elections/2016)). [previously](https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/feb/02/donald-trump-jr/donald-trump-jr-distorts-trumps-war-record/), Trump did not seek congressional authorization to use military force, or formally declare war against any other country during his four-year term. "(ISIS) no longer has significant territorial holdings, and its top leader has been killed. Joseph DeThomas, a professor at Penn State University’s School of International Affairs, told PolitiFact that defining war solely based on formal declarations by Congress would exclude conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Korean War and the Iraq War. [no evidence](https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3925/638035366888530000) that voters were precluded from voting. Experts said Trump could take some credit for this, but he also benefited from the continuation of trends that had been in place under former President Barack Obama. But it was not the best in the nation’s history, economists told PolitiFact. (This included about four months of Obama’s presidency.) But apprehensions increased after that, reaching 859,501 in fiscal year 2019. In the U.S., state laws generally give voters more options on how to vote, including by mail. When candidates run for president in the U.S., there are multiple local, state and federal races on the same ballot. Trump lost the election to Joe Biden in 2020. "I will totally obliterate the deep state."

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Donald Trump mocked for 'half full' CPAC event: 'It's TPAC, Trump ... (The Independent)

Trump measures crowd size as an 'example of his own power and own authority', says former ally Chris Christie.

The crowd size. All of the above spoke to half-empty ballrooms which struggled to reach the same tenor and excitement of the average Trump rally. “Look, he’s the front-runner, there’s no doubt. [Donald Trump](/topic/donald-trump) has been mocked by [Chris Christie](/topic/chris-christie) over the poor turn out at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) over the weekend. The numbers are on our side. It’s not CPAC any longer and only the most desperate people showed up at CPAC to even speak, other than Trump or people within Trump’s orbit.” Ours is expanding. We can win,” the delegate said. Their base is shrinking fast. “Let’s not pretend that CPAC is CPAC any more, it’s TPAC, okay? [previous examples of smaller crowd sizes](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-biden-rally-crowd-pennsylvania-b2159715.html) at [the twice-impeached president’s rallies](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-rally-arizona-fans-social-media-b1994872.html), Mr Christie said he did not think such rallies “would be nearly as big as they were before”. [in his keynote speech at the event](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-cpac-speech-b2294322.html), said the 2024 presidential elections were a “ [final battle](https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/donald-trump-cpac-speech-republicans-b2294348.html)” and that “we no longer have a country” if he lost.

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Image courtesy of "The Atlantic"

How Are Trump Supporters Still Doing This? (The Atlantic)

Former President Donald Trump gave a long and deranged speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend. We need to stop treating support ...

Naipaul novel](https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-House-for-Mr-Biswas) set among the East Indian community of Trinidad, and so it had a kind of [bouncy, sitar-influenced sound](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6EuzGhIyRQ). [The Sound of 007](https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/the-sound-of-007-james-bond-music-documentary-1235150204/). [Explore all of our newsletters here.](https://link.theatlantic.com/click/29767897.0/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDIyMTEyMQ/61813432e16c7128e42f4628B52865c35) [Play our daily crossword.](https://www.theatlantic.com/free-daily-crossword-puzzle/) [claiming to overhear conversations ](https://www.vox.com/2018/9/5/17791350/salena-zito-trump-voter-new-york-post-reporter-plagiarism-quotes)at gas stations, all in the service of trying to understand Trump voters. (I might say that it is no better than applauding David Duke, but why invoke the former KKK leader when Trump has already had dinner with Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist who [he seems to think is a swell guy](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/25/us/politics/trump-nick-fuentes-dinner.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)?) [“sir” stories](https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/16/politics/sir-trump-telltale-word-false/index.html), Trump is the former commander in chief of the U.S. We were a better country for it, and returning to that better time starts with media outlets holding elected Republicans to account for Trump’s statements—but also with each of us refusing to accept rationalizations and equivocation from even our friends and family. If Trump wins again, there will be a flurry of pardons, the same cast of miscreants will return to Pennsylvania Avenue, and, this time, they won’t even pretend to care about the Constitution or the rule of law. Media, flummoxed by having a sociopathic narcissist in the Oval Office, treated Trump like a normal political leader, and soon we all—even me—became accustomed to the fact that the president of the United States routinely sounded like the guy at the end of the bar who makes you decide to take your drink over to a table or a booth. How do we turn the discussion away from partisanship and toward good citizenship—and to the protection of our constitutional order? Former President Donald Trump gave a long and deranged speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend.

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Image courtesy of "Sky News Australia"

Donald Trump's CPAC speech was 'dark' (Sky News Australia)

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney says Donald Trump's CPAC speech was a “dark” speech even for the former US president.

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Image courtesy of "Axios"

Scoop: Kari Lake among 4 women Trump's considering for VP pick (Axios)

Trump is already gaming out the general election in November 2024 — and knows he has a massive weakness.

— might be the best fit. Lake would be assumed to be angling for president from the day she entered the White House. candidates." - But Trump friends say Lake carries a big downside: He wants no risk that his running mate could outshine him. [Steven Cheung](https://twitter.com/CaliforniaPanda) said: "Anyone who thinks they know what President Trump is going to do is seriously misinformed and trying to curry favor with 'potential' V.P. [President Trump ](https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump)is strongly considering picking a female running mate — and sees [Kari Lake](https://www.axios.com/2022/12/27/arizona-judge-kari-lake-lawsuit-court-fees) as a model for his vice presidential pick, according to people who discussed the topic with him.

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Image courtesy of "Spectrum News NY1"

Trump handily wins CPAC straw poll, DeSantis finishes 2nd (Spectrum News NY1)

Former President Donald Trump received 62% of support from CPAC attendees, compared to 20% for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Elise Stefanik, the chair of the House Republican Conference and a rising figure in the Republican Party, received 2%, Florida’s Sens. “We are going to finish what we started,” Trump told the crowd. Just 1% of CPAC attendees surveyed said they would want to see Pence reprise his role as vice president, with 6% undecided and 5% choosing “other.” But we will never go back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove and Jeb Bush." (“We’re not going to mess with Social Security as Republicans,” DeSantis recently said.) Ron DeSantis, who has not yet declared his intent to launch a White House bid, came in a distant second place with 20% of the vote, down from 28% last year. It’s very bad for the country.” Ahead of his speech, Trump told reporters that he would continue his third presidential campaign even if indicted. DeSantis was followed by Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, who announced his presidential bid over the weekend, came in third with 5%. The poll was conducted by [ McLaughlin & Associates](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/mclaughlin-associates/). It also extends Trump’s winning streak in CPAC straw polls to six straight, more than any other individual in the straw poll’s history. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky each received 1%, tying them with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and notable figures like former Vice President Mike Pence, former Wyoming Rep.

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Image courtesy of "The Tennessean"

House Republican withdraws bill to rename part of Rep. John Lewis ... (The Tennessean)

State Rep. Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta, who sponsored the bill along with state Sen. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, withdrew the legislation on Monday ...

[renamed several streets](https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/26/tennessee-legislature-wants-lamar-alexander-ronald-reagan-streets/6996590002/) in Nashville after former Republican Gov. In 2020, the city renamed Fifth Avenue after Lewis. [portion of Charlotte Avenue after the Rev. [HB 1372/SB 1407](https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1372), drew outrage from Nashville leaders and residents and would have renamed the portion of the street between Dr. During a committee hearing on a bill to add electrocution and firing squad as execution methods, Sherrell suggested adding "hanging by a tree" to the bill. Lewis helped lead lunch counter sit-ins along the street during the early years of the civil rights movement.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Trump news – live: Trump rages at CPAC empty seats mockery as ... (The Independent)

The former president claimed that “you couldn't get into the building” to see his speech where he reiterated his 2024 White House run and vowed that his ...

[letter](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23703131-kaplan-letter-to-justice-engoron) sent to both judges, according to [The Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-gets-caught-trying-to-play-judges-to-manufacture-trial-delays?via=twitter_page&utm_source=twitter_owned_tdb&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_campaign=owned_social). Even [Tucker] Carlson, if his communications in Dominion’s lawsuit against Fox News are to be believed, In Iowa, he This explains why many in the conservative establishment want to get behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This is a political Witch-Hunt, trying to take down the leading candidate, by far, in the Republican Party.” Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, is set to testify on Monday about an alleged payment of hush-money to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump will begin to argue that his campaign obligations must take precedence over his participation in this case, including at trial.” [Access Hollywood](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/access-hollywood) tape of former President [Donald Trump](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/donald-trump) as evidence in her defamation lawsuit, a judge has ruled. [Elon Musk](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/elon-musk) and former [Donald Trump](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/donald-trump) strategist [Steve Bannon](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/steve-bannon) tend to sit on the same side of the political aisle, the two men don’t seem to like each other very much. [Two other Trump accusers can testify in E Jean Carroll rape defamation case](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-e-jean-carroll-rape-lawsuit-b2298323.html) [Silicon Valley Bank](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/silicon-valley-bank) have found possible culprits in [Donald Trump](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/donald-trump) and [Republican](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/republican) senators. [Donald Trump](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/donald-trump) still may have a [narrow edge on Ron DeSantis in the polls](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trump-desantis-pence-election-polls/) of a hypothetical matchup for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, but the [Florida](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/florida) governor has one over on his former ally in another area: the [New York Times ](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/new-york-times)bestseller list.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Trump, Vowing 'Retribution,' Foretells a Second Term of Spite (The New York Times)

In a speech before his supporters, the former president charged forward in an uncharted direction, talking openly about leveraging the power of the ...

Mr. Bolton suggested Mr. “No, I wouldn’t do that,” Mr. “It’s a great line for his hard-core supporters,” said Mr. Mick Mulvaney, who served as Mr. After Mr. Bolton said of Mr. Bolton pointed to another part of Mr. Casting himself as a “warrior” was another reminder that Mr. Bolton’s public falling-out with Mr. Bolton said, but about Mr. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Mr.

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Image courtesy of "New York Post"

Trump looking at Kari Lake as possible 2024 running mate: report (New York Post)

Former President Donald Trump is strongly ​considering a woman to be his 2024 running mate and among the four contenders views Kari Lake as the model for a ...

Along with Lake, Trump is considering former South Carolina Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and South Dakota Gov. [Kari Lake as the model ](https://nypost.com/2023/02/16/kari-lake-loses-appeal-in-arizona-governor-race-challenge/)for a potential vice president, according to a report.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Trump-Lake 2024? He's Reportedly Considering Her As A VP Pick ... (Forbes)

Former President Donald Trump is considering defeated Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake as a potential running mate in the 2024 presidential ...

He claimed in November on Truth Social that she lost due to a “criminal voting operation” and demanded that she be installed as governor. Lake, a former local Fox News TV anchor in Phoenix, lost the midterm election by 17,117 votes to Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in November and is pursuing a lawsuit claiming that election malfeasance led to her defeat. [the poll](https://www.c-span.org/video/?526456-101/cpac-straw-poll-results), Lake’s campaign suggested that she is still focused on her pursuit to be installed as Arizona governor. The people familiar with Trump’s thinking told Axios that Lake’s potential to outshine Trump, along with her loss in the midterm election, are pitfalls. [Trump, Kari Lake Amplify Unfounded Claims Of Election Malfeasance In Arizona As Certification Deadline Nears ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/11/28/trump-kari-lake-amplify-unfounded-claims-of-election-malfeasance-in-arizona-as-certification-deadline-nears/?sh=5a526a964888)(Forbes) [Kari Lake’s Defeat Caps A String Of Losses Among Candidates Who Cast Doubt On The 2020 Presidential Election](https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/11/15/kari-lakes-defeat-caps-a-string-of-losses-among-candidates-who-cast-doubt-on-the-2020-presidential-election/?sh=2cdc5d266cd1) (Forbes) [Kari Lake Can Argue Her Claims Of Election Malfeasance In Court, Judge Says](https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/12/20/kari-lake-can-argue-her-claims-of-election-malfeasance-in-court-judge-says/?sh=88dac29424bc) (Forbes) Kristi Noem and former South Carolina Gov.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Michelle Obama opens up about her 'uncontrollable sobbing' on day ... (CNN)

Michelle Obama broke down shortly after leaving then-President Donald Trump's inauguration, the former first lady candidly shared in a new podcast, ...

Speaking to Jimmy Fallon in 2018, she said, “A lot was going on that day,” but as she bid farewell to the White House one thought was clear: [“Bye, Felicia!”](https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/19/politics/michelle-obama-jimmy-fallon-inauguration/index.html) So we were saying goodbye to the staff and all the people who helped to raise them.” “There were tears, there was that emotion. The fresh revelation of Obama’s experience came in a clip of her “The Light Podcast,” which launched on Audible Tuesday. “After the inauguration – and we know whose inauguration we were at – that day was so emotional on so many different reasons. It captures conversations from her visits to six cities with all-star moderators, like Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, David Letterman and Conan O’Brien to promote and discuss her best-selling book.

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Image courtesy of "The Hill"

Michelle Obama hits Trump over his inauguration: 'There weren't ... (The Hill)

Michelle Obama is taking a swing at former President Trump's claims of “massive” turnout at his 2017 inauguration, saying “there weren't that many people ...

“Many people took pictures of me and they’re like, ‘You weren’t in a good mood?’ No, I was not!” she added. “There was no reflection of the broader sense of America.” [In The Know](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/) [In The Know](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/) [In The Know](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/) [In The Know](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/) [See All](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/) “We had a massive field of people, you saw that. A preview clip from the podcast was [showed a sig](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/398255-spicer-maintains-trump-inauguration-had-biggest-audience-in/) [nificantly s](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/398255-spicer-maintains-trump-inauguration-had-biggest-audience-in/) [parser crowd](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/398255-spicer-maintains-trump-inauguration-had-biggest-audience-in/) for the 45th president.

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