Donald Trump delivered a fiery speech at the CPAC convention where he portrayed himself as a persecuted “political dissident” facing down threats to democracy.
He promised “judgment day” for political opponents being investigated over January 6 and vowed to crack down on immigration and crime if elected in 2024.
“For hard-working Americans, November 5 will be our new liberation day,” Trump said. “But for the liars and cheaters and fraudsters and censors and imposters who have commandeered our government, it will be their judgment day!”
Trump attacked Joe Biden and the “Stalinist show trials” against him, saying only he can save the country from “obliteration.”
He railed against illegal immigration and pledged the “biggest deportation” in history.
“Your victory will be our ultimate vindication, your liberty will be our ultimate reward and the unprecedented success of the United States of America will be my ultimate and absolute revenge,” he said.
Trump engaged the enthusiastic crowd with his unscripted tangents and humor, portraying himself as a counter to perceived chaos under Biden.
However, some saw disturbing echoes of authoritarian demagoguery in Trump’s ability to incite emotions and portray opponents as an existential threat.
“If crooked Joe Biden and his thugs win in 2024, the worst is yet to come,” he said. “A country that will go and sink to levels that are unimaginable.”
“These are the stakes of this election. Our country is being destroyed, and the only thing standing between you and its obliteration is me,” he said.
“A vote for Trump is your ticket back to freedom, it’s your passport out of tyranny and it’s your only escape from Joe Biden and his gang’s fast track to hell,” he continued.
“And in many ways, we’re living in hell right now because the fact is, Joe Biden is a threat to democracy – really is a threat to democracy.”
