Former President Donald Trump will address the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) next Sunday, in Orlando, Florida according to a source who is familiar with the matter. Two sources familiar with the same matter told CNN that former Vice President Mike Pence had declined the invitation to speak at the CPAC.
Politico had first released a report saying that Pence had declined to attend. One source said that the organizers have not given up hope on getting Pence to address the CPAC while another one said that the former Vice President is planning to lay low for the next six months.
There has been tension between the two leaders after the Capitol riot on January 6 as well as after the decision of Mike Pence to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration while missing Trump’s farewell.
On Saturday, Marc Short former Pence chief of staff told CNN’s Pamela Brown on “Newsroom” that Trump and Pence “departed amicably” and that they have spoken to each other since.
The source familiar with Trump’s plans says that he will talk about the Republican Party, its future and its conservative movement. He will also take on President Joe Biden’s policies on amnesty and border issues.
This speaking engagement comes at a time when there are deep divisions in the GOP.
The Senate Republic Leader Mitch McConnell has said that he would not meet Trump but the No.2 House Republican Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana met Trump on Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago as per CNN. McConnell and Trump have been clashing ever since the Capitol riot though the former voted against the latter’s indictment in the second impeachment trial.
The House GOP Kevin MacCarthy met Trump after January 6, at Florida. A majority of his members are with Trump unlike the Senate members where some senators are eager and ready to move past Trump and unite the GOP on ideas rather than around an individual.
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