In a fervent address to conservative activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 24, former President Donald Trump positioned November’s presidential election as “judgment day” and proudly declared himself a “political dissident.” Using religious imagery and painting an apocalyptic vision, Trump warned of dire consequences if President Joe Biden secures a second term in the expected rematch election.
Speaking on the day of South Carolina’s Republican primary, Trump rallied supporters by framing November 5 as a “new liberation day” for hardworking Americans. In contrast, he depicted it as “judgment day” for those he referred to as “liars, cheaters, fraudsters, censors, and imposters” who, in his view, have taken control of the government. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause as Trump asserted, “When we win, the curtain closes on their corrupt reign, and the sun rises on a bright new future for America.”
In a notable turn, Trump embraced the label of a “proud political dissident,” drawing parallels to his recent comparison to Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. Just days after likening himself to Navalny, who died in Russian custody, Trump declared, “I stand before you today not only as your past and, hopefully, future president but as a proud political dissident. I am a dissident,” underscoring his defiance against perceived political adversaries.
As Trump continues to position himself as a central figure in the political landscape, his CPAC speech reflects a strategic use of symbolism, rallying his base with potent imagery and framing the upcoming election in stark terms of liberation and judgment.
