After several days of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2024, this Saturday, hundreds of organizations, activists, spectators, and leaders from around the world gathered to close the most prominent conservative event globally on a high note.
With exclusive coverage by Voz Media at this year's CPAC in Washington, we share some of the highlights of the closing day.
Trump: if Joe Biden wins in 2024, "the worst is yet to come"
As in recent years, CPAC floor attendance was noticeably higher during Donald Trump's appearance than that of previous speakers this week.
The former president took advantage of the crowd's attention to explain, in an energetic speech lasting approximately 90 minutes, the importance of the upcoming presidential elections and to highlight how bleak the future of the United States would be if Joe Biden returned to the White House.
"For hard-working Americans, Nov. 5 will be our new Liberation Day,(...) but for the liars, and cheaters, and fraudsters, and censors and imposters who have commandeered our Government, it will be their Judgment Day," Trump stated before warning that, if "crooked Joe Biden and his thugs win in 2024, the worst is yet to come."
#CPAC2024 | “If crooked Joe Biden and his thugs win in 2024, the worst is yet to come!“ pic.twitter.com/bTuS86EbzD
— VOZ (@Voz_US) February 24, 2024
Trump: "I am a political dissident"
Trump referred to all the legal problems he is facing and accused the Biden Administration of turning the Department of Justice and the FBI into "weapons" against him.
"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 (...) today not only as your past and hopefully future president, but as a proud political dissident. I am a dissident," he stated.
#CPAC2024 | Trump: "I am a dissident. Remember this: I've been indicted more than Al Capone." pic.twitter.com/ekGZvI85Mf
— VOZ (@Voz_US) February 24, 2024
Trump says Santiago Abascal will be the next president of Spain
Trump praised the Ibero-American participation in the conference, focusing primarily on the Argentine president, Javier Milei, whom he described as "a great gentleman" and a fervent defender of the slogan "Make Argentina Great Again" (MAGA).
🗣️ Así fue el momento en el que @realDonaldTrump saludó públicamente al presidente de Argentina @JMilei en @CPAC “Make Argentina Great Again”‼️
@Voz_US @VozMediaUSA#donaldtrump #javiermilei #cpac #vozmedia #karinayapor pic.twitter.com/rTMfPtKh76
— Karina Yapor (@yaporkarina) February 24, 2024
Additionally, he expressed his admiration for Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox, a Spanish right-wing party, highlighting the solid reputation he has built among conservatives worldwide and anticipating that he will become the next president of Spain.
#CPAC2024 | Trump elogió "la gran reputación de Santiago Abascal (presidente del partido español Vox) entre los conservadores de todo el mundo".@gaceta_es pic.twitter.com/RI0GzutxBD
— VOZ (@VozMediaUSA) February 24, 2024
Likewise, he extended his recognition to Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
Trump meets with Javier Milei
After the speech, Trump and the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, starred in one of the most viral moments of the day due to the friendly meeting they had backstage. They both greeted each other, hugged and exchanged a few words.
#CPAC2024 | Cálido encuentro entre @JMilei y Donald Trump en la @CPAC. pic.twitter.com/J1u02JOs5K
— VOZ (@VozMediaUSA) February 24, 2024
Political persecution in Brazil
In his speech at CPAC, Brazilian deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro vehemently denounced the political persecution against his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, and called on the audience for support and visibility on the case: "Help us to expose this tyranny."
WATCH: @BolsonaroSP’s dire warning about the current state of Brazil under the RADICAL Lula regime pic.twitter.com/oUduATe0TM
— CPAC (@CPAC) February 24, 2024
Javier Milei: "Don't give up in the fight for freedom"
The Argentine president took the floor later and left a great impression on the final day of CPAC after giving an impromptu lecture on economics and political science.
Milei questioned neoclassical analysis and outlined the market as a "process of social cooperation." He emphasized the relevance of private property and a functional pricing system, opposing interventionist ideologies, which he claimed distort the system and lead to failure, stating that "socialism cannot work in any of its aspects."
Briefly departing from the academic exposition, Milei expressed his commitment to devoting his life and soul to revitalizing Argentina and asked the United States not to be carried away "by the siren songs of social justice."
"Don't give up in the fight for freedom, long live freedom, dammit!" Milei expressed before leaving the stage.
#CPAC2024 | Javier Milei cierra su discurso en la conferencia conservadora entre animados aplausos:
"No cedan en la lucha por la libertad. ¡Viva la libertad, carajo!" pic.twitter.com/zafFPd9NUJ
— VOZ (@VozMediaUSA) February 24, 2024
Eduardo Verástegui
The renowned Mexican actor and activist Eduardo Verástegui also conquered the CPAC platform. He took the opportunity to highlight the seriousness of the problem of child trafficking and underline his personal dedication to addressing this challenge.
.@EVerastegui at @CPAC2024. pic.twitter.com/9Og8MTdQU2
— VOZ (@Voz_US) February 24, 2024
The poll winners
Former President Donald Trump achieved his record seventh victory in the CPAC polls, which offer a glimpse into the Republican base's preferences for the next president. The former president won the poll with an overwhelming 94%, while his Republican opponent, Nikki Haley, came in second with 5%.
As for the poll for the vice president election in 2024, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy tied with 15% each. They were followed by former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard with 9%, and another tie for third place held by New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik and South Carolina senator Tim Scott, both with 8%.
