Trump Turns to Familiar Name for a Key Role

Corey Lewandowski will run a still-to-be-formed super PAC
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 26, 2021 11:27 AM CST
Trump Turns to Familiar Name for a Key Role
In this Feb. 29, 2020, photo, then-President Trump greets the crowd after speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Donald Trump is about to reenter the political fray with a weekend speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference, one in which he's expected to make clear that he remains the No. 1 power broker within the GOP. Coverage:

  • New group: Trump met with top advisers Thursday and named former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski as head of a yet-to-be-formed super PAC, reports Politico. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts, and Trump plans to use the money to back candidates who support his America First agenda.
  • Revenge: Trump adviser Jason Miller told Newsmax this week that Trump will outline a "future path for the Republican Party" in his speech, per NBC News. But Miller also suggested the former president is looking for political payback against Republicans who have split with him. "We want to go and win back the House and the Senate for Republicans in 2022, but there are ... a few places where there may be Republican-held seats where we could get a good 'America First' upgrade."

  • Golden statue: One such statue of Trump was wheeled into the CPAC venue in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday. At Vox, Zack Beauchamp sees a metaphor for the GOP.
  • Don Jr.: Former first son Donald Trump Jr., who speaks at the conference on Friday, told Sean Hannity on Fox Thursday that Republicans aren't being aggressive enough these days. "They'd just rather lose gracefully," he said, per Mediaite. "Donald Trump has shown that you don't have to do that. You can actually push back."
  • Theme: This year's conference appears to have Trumpian themes, notes USA Today. For example, seven panels will be devoted to "Protecting Elections," an apparent nod to Trump's allegations of voter fraud. The newspaper expects Trump to speak about that issue himself. And while it doesn't think Trump will announce a 2024 run, he is expected to go after President Biden and perhaps establishment members of the GOP with whom he's been feuding, such as Mitch McConnell and Liz Cheney.
  • Lineup: The former president will close out the conference as the last speaker on Sunday. You can watch live via the CPAC website. The conference starts Friday, and the full lineup of speakers is at Fox News.
(McConnell said this week that he would "absolutely" support Trump if he is the 2024 GOP nominee.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X