Donald Trump is returning to Washington later this month for the first time since his presidency ended, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Trump’s planned July 26 visit — to headline an event for the America First Policy Institute — comes as high-profile committee hearings on Jan. 6 add to speculation that his grip on the GOP may be weakening.
- A new poll shows nearly half of voters in the party’s primary want a new GOP presidential nominee in 2024, with a growing number pledging to leave if he wins.
- The House Select Committee hearings dominated headlines and cable news coverage as former top Trump officials and aides recounted bombshell evidence linking the former president to the Capitol attack.
Breaking News: Trump will deliver the keynote speech at 3:00 PM ET on the second day of the group’s policy summit, which will also include panel discussions and presentations from several top Republican leaders, including former Trump administration officials, members of Congress , governors and civil servants.
- The event is by invitation only and not open to the general public, but will be live streamed and open to the press.
- The group says it has not yet announced the specific location due to security concerns.
Details: The America First Policy Institute is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit research institute led by senior Trump administration officials, including former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon, former National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow, and former Director of the Domestic Policy Council Brooke Rollins.
- The retreat is expected to focus on lowering energy and gasoline prices, fighting inflation, “controlling” children’s education, crime and the border, among other issues.
Expected attendees and speakers include:
- Eight former cabinet-level officials: McMahon, former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, former Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, former Acting Attorney General Matt Whittaker, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie and former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
- 8 former Trump White House staffers: Kudlow; Rollins; Kellyanne Conway, former senior advisor; Gen. Keith Kellogg, former national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence; Kevin Hassett, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers; Fred Flitz, former chief of staff to national security adviser John Bolton; Scott Turner, former executive director of the Trump White House Council on Opportunity and Revitalization and Pastor Paula White-Kane.
- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
- 13 House members, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.).
- 10 GOP senators: Mike Brown (R-Indiana), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mt.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (RS.C.), Bill Haggerty (R-Tenn.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), James Langford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Loomis (R-Wyo.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
- Three former GOP governors: Phil Bryant of Mississippi and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, plus Perry (former governor of Texas).
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