Feb 25

Feb 25 Expanded Analysis of Trump’s Engagements at CPAC 2025: Beyond the Duda Meeting

Introduction

President Donald Trump’s participation in the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) extended far beyond his truncated meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The event, held from February 19–22 in National Harbor, Maryland, served as a platform for Trump to consolidate his influence over the Republican Party, engage with international allies, and outline his administration’s priorities.

Below, we analyze the full scope of his involvement, including high-profile meetings, symbolic gestures, and policy announcements.

Keynote Address

Retribution and Government Reduction

Trump’s 90-minute keynote speech dominated the conference, attracting significant attention for its combative tone and policy pledges.

Key themes included

Federal Workforce Reduction

Trump celebrated his administration’s mass firings of federal employees, claiming, “We’ve shown radical-left bureaucrats the exit and secured the doors behind them”.

He framed these actions as part of a broader effort to dismantle the “deep state,” with Elon Musk assisting in sending ultimatums to federal workers via email.

Ukraine Policy and Rare Earth Minerals Deal

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz announced that Ukraine would soon sign an agreement granting the U.S. 50% ownership of its rare earth mineral reserves as repayment for military aid.

While criticized as exploitative, Trump defended the deal, stating, “What better could you have for Ukraine than an economic partnership with the U.S.?”.

Attacks on Biden and Election Fraud Claims

Trump repeated debunked claims about the 2020 and 2024 elections, asserting, “They cheated like hell, but it was too big to rig”.

He also mocked Vice President Kamala Harris’s immigration role, falsely labeling her the “border czar”.

International Engagements

Populist Alliances

Meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei

Milei, a libertarian populist, presented Trump with a red chainsaw inscribed with his slogan “Viva la libertad, carajo” (Long live liberty, damn it) to symbolize their shared commitment to slashing government spending.

Milei praised Trump’s dismantling of USAID and urged CPAC attendees to support similar austerity measures.

Planned Discussions with European Leaders

Trump’s team confirmed upcoming meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

These follow his controversial decision to exclude European representatives from U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine, which Duda criticized as undermining NATO unity.

CPAC’s “MAGA Comintern”

Global Far-Right Convergence

CPAC hosted an “international summit” featuring far-right leaders such as

Liz Truss (UK)

Denounced “unelected judges” and praised Trump’s defiance of institutional norms.

Eduardo Bolsonaro (Brazil)

Defended his father, Jair Bolsonaro, against coup charges, comparing Brazil’s January 8, 2023, Capitol riots to the U.S. January 6 attack.

Balázs Orbán (Hungary)

Echoed Trump’s rhetoric on immigration and “gender ideology,” declaring, “No migration, no gender, no war”.

Domestic Political Theater

Elon Musk’s Role in Federal Layoffs

Musk, wearing a “Dark MAGA” hat, joined Trump on stage to tout their collaboration in downsizing the federal government.

He announced plans to audit federal employees via email, threatening to interpret non-responses as resignations.

January 6 “Persecuted Community”

Pardoned rioters, including Enrique Tarrio (Proud Boys) and Stewart Rhodes (Oath Keepers), received standing ovations.

Richard “Bigo” Barnett, infamous for placing his feet on Nancy Pelosi’s desk, framed the rioters as global martyrs, comparing their prosecution to South Korean dissidents.

Steve Bannon’s Controversial Salute

Bannon performed a gesture resembling a Nazi salute during a speech, drawing condemnation from French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella.

Bannon dismissed critics, insisting, “We want Trump in ’28!”.

Policy Announcements and Tensions

China and Trade Deficits

While praising Xi Jinping (“I happen to like him”), Trump falsely claimed the U.S. trade deficit with China exceeded $1 trillion under Biden. Actual 2023 figures totaled $252 billion.

Border Security and Immigration

Trump vowed to reinstate hardline policies, stating, “I couldn’t stand Biden’s border chaos,” before using an expletive to describe his predecessor.

His administration plans to repurpose USAID’s D.C. office for Customs and Border Protection personnel.

Skepticism of Big Tech Alliances

Despite Trump’s détente with Silicon Valley (e.g., meetings with Zuckerberg and Musk), CPAC attendees derided platforms like Facebook.

Steve Bannon warned, “They’ll abandon us like they abandoned the left”.

Conclusion

CPAC as a Microcosm of Trump’s Second Term

The 2025 CPAC underscored Trump’s consolidation of power within the GOP and his alignment with global populists.

While the Duda meeting highlighted transactional diplomacy, the broader event revealed a strategy centered on retribution, austerity, and the cultivation of a loyalist base.

For European allies and domestic critics alike, CPAC served as a stark reminder of Trump’s unorthodox governance style—one that prioritizes spectacle over tradition and personal loyalty over institutional stability.

The conference also exposed fissures, particularly regarding tech policy and the lack of a clear MAGA successor.

As Steve Bannon conceded, “The future of MAGA is Donald J. Trump”. Whether this reliance on a single figure sustains the movement long-term remains uncertain, but for now, CPAC reaffirmed Trump’s dominance over conservative politics.

Antonio Bhardwaj

Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj, aka Amir, is a distinguished polymath whose intellectual pursuits span business, politics, theology, and psychology. As an INTJ personality type, he demonstrates an exceptional cognitive profile, with a Stanford-Binet IQ of 158 and a TalentEQ score in the 99th percentile, both validated through internationally recognized assessments.

With a career spanning several decades, Dr. Bhardwaj has emerged as a preeminent authority in military theory, specializing in cognitive and hybrid warfare—fields that emphasize the psychological and political dimensions of conflict.

His scholarly interests encompass global conspiracy theories, counterterrorism strategies, and in-depth historical analyses of both World Wars, which he skillfully applies to speculative scenarios regarding the potential emergence of World War III.

Employing analytical methodologies grounded in historical precedent and strategic frameworks, Dr. Bhardwaj conducts rigorous evaluations of contemporary military and political landscapes. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Washington.Media, where his incisive commentary elucidates the dynamics of the deep state within the Western bloc.

He is widely recognized as an expert on the historical evolution of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and contemporary Russia, as well as on the intricacies of Gulf politics. With four decades of reading and writing, Dr. Bhardwaj has refined his expertise across multiple disciplines.

Academically, Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj holds a Doctorate in Theological Studies with a specialization in psychology.

His foundational education in mechanical engineering is complemented by a Master’s degree in International Trade and an Executive MBA. Most recently, he completed a seven-month executive program in artificial intelligence, further enhancing his capacity to integrate emerging technologies into strategic paradigms.

Beyond academia, Dr. Bhardwaj has engaged in political activism, having campaigned for Congressional office. His involvement in global political issues underscores his commitment to advocacy, though he remains cognizant of the operational constraints inherent in political engagement.

Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj’s initiatives, including the نهضة (Nahda) project, draw upon his deep understanding of complex social dynamics to compassionately support vulnerable women and underprivileged children.

Through his work, he fosters awareness of their challenges. He empowers them to rise above adversity, while gently yet firmly dismantling oppressive patriarchal structures and creating spaces of dignity, safety, and hope for all.

On a personal level, Dr. Bhardwaj finds solace in observing butterflies, a practice that deepens his connection to nature. His photographic work captures serene forest landscapes and waterfalls, inviting others to share in his appreciation for the natural world. He cherishes quality time with his pet and reflects on the profound experience of raising his daughter as a dedicated single parent. Dr. Bhardwaj also writes introspective poetry, which he regards as a means of fulfilling personal aspirations.

His familial relationships inform his advocacy, with a focus on fostering environments that promote autonomy and freedom of choice for all. Dr. Bhardwaj’s profound respect for the interconnectedness of life serves as a guiding principle he strives to instill in his daughter, advocating for a holistic and compassionate worldview.

Website