President Donald Trump rounded out the Conservative Political Action Conference 2020 (CPAC) on Saturday with an unconventional approach to U.S. border security.
The speech was a victory lap for the president and the conservative fans who spent an extended weekend together strategizing as America heads towards the November election.
Trump spent his time onstage touting the successes of the administration, including increased border security and how it’s benefiting Americans in more ways than one.
Not only is the U.S.-Mexico border wall hindering the trafficking of illegal drugs, weapons, and sex victims, Trump said — it’s helping curb the coronavirus outbreak.
He stressed that the border wall is aiding health officials in assessing risk — and it’s ensuring that a mass outbreak among American citizens is prevented.
His CPAC address came on the heels of his official coronavirus briefing Saturday. The president urged the nation to stay calm among the deadly outbreak of the virus and reassured Americans that health officials are working diligently to contain the number of cases. On the CPAC stage, Trump expanded upon his message with an update on travel restrictions.
“We’re banning the travel of anyone who has been to Iran to the past 14 days,” he said. “They’re having a very bad outbreak there.” Trump noted that his administration would be willing to help Iran should it need assistance with the outbreak.
“All they have to do is ask,” he said. “It’s time for all the politicians to put politics aside and come together for the safety of the American people.”
Though his speech was marked with optimism for the future.
“We’re in the midst of the great American comeback,” Trump announced. “America is respected again, respected like never before.”
He rattled off the wins.
The killing of former Iranian war general Qassem Solemani, the impeachment victory, the addition of 7 million jobs to the economy, draining the swamp, defeating the ISIS caliphate — all on a day when the U.S. officially inked an agreement with the Taliban so that the Trump administration could fulfill a long-promised solution to years of war and bring American troops back home.
“The longest war in American history — by far — will be over,” Trump said.
Throughout the fanfare, the crowd could hardly contain itself.
“USA!” chants filled the room after nearly every word it seemed.
The spectacle became even more raucous when Trump spent time poking fun at the 2020 Democratic candidates — who were busy trying to win the South Carolina primary. Trump took the opportunity to bash several of his rivals, including “Mini” Michael Bloomberg, who he visibly mocked when he shrunk behind the podium, poking fun at his height.
😂MOMENTS AGO🤣@realDonaldTrump imitates Mini Mike at @CPAC. #CPAC2020 pic.twitter.com/UXR7nIE5ta
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) February 29, 2020
He even brought up former hopeful Beto O Rourke, mocking how the Texan once declared he was “born to run.”
Trump went down the line of candidates, and landed on two possible nominees he may run against — “Crazy” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-V.T. and former Vice President “Sleepy” Joe Biden, who ended up winning the Palmetto State primary resoundingly.
Trump asked the crowd of conservatives to cheer for whoever they thought Trump should run against.
The crowd of conservative activists clearly wanted Sanders.
As our coverage of the hallmark conservative event closes, it seems that Trump’s fans are going to get exactly what they’re hoping for: Four more years of Trump.
The Horne editorial team