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Trump Calls for GOP Unity, Says He Won’t Start Another Party

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Former president Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Taking the stage for the first time since leaving office, former President Donald Trump on Sunday called for Republican Party unity in a speech at a conservative political conference, even as he exacerbated its divisions and made clear he intended to remain a dominant force in the party.

Trump used his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he has been hailed as a returning hero, to blast his successor, President Joe Biden, and try to cement his status as the party’s undisputed leader despite his loss in November.

“Do you miss me yet?” Trump said after taking the stage, where his old rally soundtrack had been playing. “I stand before you today to declare that the incredible journey we begun together … is far from being over.”

Though Trump has flirted with the the idea of creating a third party, he pledged to remain part of what he called “our beloved party.”

“I’m going to continue to fight right by your side. We’re not starting new parties,” he said. “We have the Republican Party. It’s going to be strong and united like never before.”

The conference, held this year in Orlando instead of the Washington suburbs because of COVID-19 restrictions, has been a tribute to Trump and Trumpism, complete with a golden statue in his likeness. Speakers, including many potential 2024 hopefuls, have argued the party must embrace the former president and his followers, even after the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. And they have repeated his unfounded claims that he lost the November election only because the election was “rigged” — claims that have been rejected by judges, Republican state officials and Trump’s own administration.

The conference’s annual unscientific straw poll of just over 1,000 attendees found that 97% approve of the job Trump did as president. But they were much more ambiguous about whether he should run again, with 68% saying he should.

If the 2024 primary were held today and Trump were in the race, just 55% said they would vote for him, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 21%. Without Trump in the field, DeSantis garnered 43% support, followed by 8% for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and 7% each for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

It is highly unusual for past American presidents to publicly criticize their successors so soon after leaving office. Ex-presidents typically step out of the spotlight for at least a while; Barack Obama was famously seen kitesurfing on vacation after he departed, while George W. Bush said he believed Obama “deserves my silence” and took up painting.

Not Trump.

He delivered a sharp rebuke of what he framed as the new administration’s first month of failures, including Biden’s approach to immigration and the border.

“Joe Biden has had the most disastrous first month of any president in modern history,” Trump said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki brushed off the expected criticism. “We’ll see what he says, but our focus is certainly not on what President Trump is saying at CPAC,” she told reporters.

Aside from criticizing Biden, Trump used the speech to claim himself as the future of the Republican Party, even as many leaders argued they must move in a new, less divisive direction after Republicans lost not only the White House but both chambers of Congress in the last elections.

Nonetheless, Trump insisted the party was united, even as he has sought to punish those who voted to impeach him for inciting the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, including the No. 3 House Republican, Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming.

Indeed, on Friday, Trump began his vengeance campaign, endorsing Max Miller, a former aide who is seeking to oust Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, who voted in favor of Trump’s impeachment.

While he no longer has his social media megaphone after being barred from Twitter and Facebook, Trump has already been inching back into public life. He called into conservative news outlets after Rush Limbaugh’s death and to wish Tiger Woods well after the pro golfer was injured in a car crash. He has also issued statements, including one blasting Mitch McConnell after the Senate Republican leader excoriated Trump for inciting the Capitol riot. McConnell has since said he would “absolutely” support Trump if he were the GOP nominee in 2024.

At his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump has been quietly meeting with aides and senior party leaders as he builds his post-presidential political operation. While he has already endorsed several pro-Trump candidates, aides have been working this past week to develop benchmarks for those seeking his endorsement to make sure the candidates are serious and have set up full-fledged political and fundraising organizations before he gets involved.

They are also planning a new super PAC that could raise unlimited amounts of money, though one aide cautioned they were still deciding whether to create a new entity or repurpose an existing America First super PAC.

Trump was not expected to announce Sunday that he would run again in 2024, but he continued to flirt with the prospect.

“You are going to see a speech on Sunday that talks about not only the beginning but what the future may look like,” Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows told Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity earlier this week. “What we will see on Sunday is we will see the start of planning for the next administration. And I can tell you, the people that are in the top of that list, all of ’em have Trump as their last name.”

Florida

Florida Legislative Black Caucus Urges Due Process Amid Calls to Impeach Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper

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Credit: Representative Felicia Robinson

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — The Florida Legislative Black Caucus says it is aware of recent calls for the impeachment of Tiffany Baker-Carper following the signing of Missy’s Law, according to a press statement released by the caucus.

The caucus acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns raised but emphasized that impeachment should remain a constitutional process rather than a political response.

“We recognize the gravity of these concerns and the importance of accountability in public service,” the statement said. “However, we must be equally clear: impeachment is a constitutional remedy, not a political reaction.”

Facts Before Force

The caucus stated that any consideration of impeachment must be grounded in verified evidence rather than speculation or political pressure.

“Impeachment must be based on verified evidence,” the statement said. “The integrity of our democratic institutions depends on a disciplined commitment to truth.”

Due Process and Fairness

Members of the caucus also stressed the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence.

“Every individual — regardless of position — is entitled to fairness, due process and the presumption of innocence,” the statement said. “Rushing to impeachment without a complete factual record undermines the very justice we seek to uphold.”

Transparency and Public Trust

The caucus said Floridians deserve transparency and clarity as the situation unfolds.

“Any actions taken must be conducted openly, with findings made available to the public to ensure confidence in the outcome,” the statement said.

The caucus urged lawmakers and stakeholders to avoid premature political escalation and instead follow a responsible process that balances accountability with justice.

The Florida Legislative Black Caucus said it will continue monitoring developments and advocate for a process that reflects the highest standards of governance.

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VIDEO: NASA Artemis II Mission Sends Astronauts Around the Moon in First Crewed Test Since Apollo

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The Artemis II crewed lunar mission launches from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026. Four astronauts blasted off aboard a massive NASA rocket on a long-anticipated journey around the Moon—marking the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. Photo by Nickolas Wolf / Florida National News.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (FNN) — NASA is preparing to launch the crew of Artemis II on a historic journey around the Moon, marking the first time astronauts will travel beyond low-Earth orbit since the era of Apollo Program.
The mission will lift off from Kennedy Space Center aboard the Space Launch System, carrying astronauts in the Orion spacecraft on a multi-day flight that will orbit the Moon before returning safely to Earth.

The Artemis II crewed lunar mission launches from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026. Four astronauts blasted off aboard a massive NASA rocket on a long-anticipated journey around the Moon—marking the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. Photo by Nickolas Wolf / Florida National News.

 

Historic Return to Deep Space Artemis II is the first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis program, designed to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustainable presence there. The flight follows the successful uncrewed test mission, Artemis I, which demonstrated the Orion spacecraft’s ability to travel to lunar orbit and return to Earth. The Artemis program represents NASA’s long-term strategy to explore deep space, including preparing astronauts for future missions to Mars. Astronaut Crew to Circle the Moon

The Artemis II crew includes four astronauts selected to test Orion’s life-support systems and navigation capabilities during the mission.

The Artemis II crewed lunar mission launches from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026. Four astronauts blasted off aboard a massive NASA rocket on a long-anticipated journey around the Moon—marking the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years.
Photo by Nickolas Wolf / Florida National News.

 

Their journey will take them thousands of miles beyond the Moon before returning to Earth. The mission will also demonstrate critical technologies needed for future lunar landings planned under upcoming Artemis missions.

Florida’s Space Coast in the Global Spotlight The launch is expected to draw thousands of spectators to Florida’s Space Coast, including viewers gathering along beaches in Cocoa Beach and nearby communities to witness the historic liftoff.

Local officials and tourism leaders say the Artemis program continues to reinforce Florida’s role as the nation’s gateway to space exploration.

 

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Entertainment

Orlando International Fashion Week Announces Media Partnership With Florida National News

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Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW)

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN)Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) has announced a new media partnership with Florida National News (FNN), expanding media coverage and audience reach for one of Central Florida’s premier fashion and cultural events.

Hosted annually in Orlando, Orlando International Fashion Week brings together designers, models, influencers and industry professionals from around the world. The event celebrates fashion, beauty, music, art and luxury lifestyle while showcasing emerging and established talent through runway shows, networking events and industry programming.

Through the new partnership, Florida National News will provide expanded editorial coverage of Orlando International Fashion Week events throughout 2026. Coverage will include runway highlights, designer features, exclusive interviews and digital media content designed to deliver local, national and international exposure for participating designers and industry leaders.

Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW)


Expanded Media Coverage for a Global Audience

Florida National News will produce multimedia coverage throughout the event, including photo galleries, video interviews, behind-the-scenes content and feature stories highlighting designers, models and creative professionals participating in the event.

With a growing digital audience and a track record of covering major events across Florida, Florida National News aims to amplify the reach of Orlando International Fashion Week while delivering engaging storytelling and industry insights to viewers across multiple platforms.

Florida National News has served as a trusted media platform for more than a decade, providing event coverage, interviews and trend analysis that spotlight designers and fashion innovation across the state.

Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW)


Leaders Highlight the Value of the Partnership

“Florida National News is proud to partner with Orlando International Fashion Week to showcase the creativity, innovation and rising talent shaping the fashion industry,” said Jenny Rosario, vice president of Florida National News. “Our platform is committed to highlighting designers, artists and industry leaders while bringing global visibility to the exceptional talent featured during this event.”

“We are excited to welcome Florida National News as an official media partner for Orlando International Fashion Week,” said Dr. Jessica Henlon. “Their strong media presence and commitment to storytelling will help elevate our designers and participants while expanding the reach of OIFW to audiences worldwide.”

Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW)

Orlando’s Growing Influence in Fashion and Culture

As Orlando continues to grow as a destination for arts, culture and international events, partnerships like this are helping position the city as an emerging hub for fashion, creativity and industry innovation.

Events such as Orlando International Fashion Week attract designers and creative talent from across the United States and abroad, strengthening Orlando’s reputation as a center for global cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.

What’s Next for Florida National News’ Partnership Growth?

Florida National News continues to expand its partnerships across sports, entertainment, fashion and cultural events throughout Florida and beyond.

Looking ahead, the media organization is expected to pursue additional collaborations with major event producers, creative industry leaders and cultural institutions. These partnerships aim to broaden multimedia storytelling, increase digital and streaming distribution, and position Florida National News as a leading platform for event coverage and industry insights across the state.

With continued investment in digital media, live event coverage and strategic partnerships, Florida National News is poised to expand its role as a key media partner for high-profile events while delivering wider exposure for creators, organizations and communities throughout Florida.

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