Former President Donald Trump on Saturday dismissed warnings that his potential victory in 2024 would represent a threat to democracy as a “hoax” and “Democrat misinformation.”
The former president, who left office in January after four years in the White House, made the comments during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida.
“The Democrats are trying to rig the election again,” Trump said. “They are working hard to spread the hoax that my re-election would be a threat to democracy. That’s a total lie. It’s a Democrat misinformation campaign.”
Trump’s comments come amid growing speculation that he may seek the Republican nomination for president in 2024. The former president has not yet announced his plans, but he has made it clear that he is considering a run.
Trump’s speech at CPAC was his first major public appearance since leaving office. He used the opportunity to rail against the Biden administration and to criticize the media for its coverage of his presidency.
Trump also took aim at the Democrats’ efforts to pass voting reforms, which he characterized as an attempt to “rig the election.” He argued that the reforms would make it easier for Democrats to win elections and harder for Republicans to compete.
“The Democrats are trying to steal the election,” Trump said. “They are trying to rig the election. We can’t let that happen. We must protect the integrity of our elections.”
Trump also used the speech to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He argued that the administration had failed to take the necessary steps to protect the American people.
“The Biden administration has failed to protect the American people from the virus,” Trump said. “They have failed to protect our economy. They have failed to protect our jobs. They have failed to protect our freedoms.”
Trump’s speech was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. He received a warm welcome from the audience, which included many of his supporters.
Trump’s comments about the potential threat to democracy posed by his potential victory in 2024 were met with criticism from Democrats. They argued that Trump’s rhetoric was dangerous and could lead to further divisions in the country.
“Donald Trump’s comments about the potential threat to democracy posed by his potential victory in 2024 are irresponsible and dangerous,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “We must reject this kind of rhetoric and work together to protect our democracy.”
Overall, Trump’s speech at CPAC was a reminder of his continued influence in the Republican Party. He remains popular among many of the party’s base, and his comments about the potential threat to democracy posed by his potential victory in 2024 were met with cheers from the crowd.
Whether or not Trump will actually run for president in 2024 remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the former president’s words still carry weight in the Republican Party, and his comments about the potential threat to democracy posed by his potential victory in 2024 will likely continue to be a source of debate in the months and years to come.