Trump plans to use his CPAC speech as a 'show of force' to exert control over the GOP, report says

Former President Donald Trump plans on using his upcoming speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as a "show of force" to exert control over the Republican Party, Axios reported.

Trump is due to speak at the event on Sunday — his first public speech since leaving office.

One of his longtime advisors told Axios' Mike Allen that his speech will be a "show of force," and intended to show that he still rules over the GOP, even though he is no longer president and has been barred from major social media platforms.

The advisor said that his message will be: "I may not have Twitter or the Oval Office, but I'm still in charge."

Trump allies told Axios that he wants to project the image that he will be the GOP's "presumptive 2024 nominee" because they believe he is popular with the party's base.

That being said, many of Trump's allies don't actually believe he will run for office again, per Axios — though Trump thinks that his suggesting as such could give him extra power and influence.

Allies also told Axios that Trump was focused on vengeance against Republicans that spoke out or voted against him.

According to multiple reports, Trump has focused his recent efforts on Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-most powerful Republican in Congress who voted to impeach him over the Capitol riot.