DeSantis to deliver 'major policy speech' at Heritage leadership summit after skipping CPAC

EXCLUSIVE: Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis will header nan Heritage Foundation’s 50th activity acme successful April aft skipping the annual Conservative Political Action Conference attended by erstwhile President Donald Trump earlier this month.

DeSantis, who pundits wide expect to motorboat a White House bid later this twelvemonth but who presently remains connected nan 2024 sidelines, will present a "major argumentation speech" concluding Heritage’s two-day yearly acme connected April 21 astatine nan Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center successful National Harbor, Maryland, according to a property merchandise by Heritage.

"Conservatives are craving a bold and visionary leader who gets things done — and that’s precisely what Gov. Ron DeSantis has accomplished successful Florida," Heritage President Kevin Roberts said successful a statement. 

"Heritage recognized Florida arsenic nan apical authorities successful America for parental authorities and schoolhouse choice, mostly because of Gov. DeSantis’ leadership," he said. He’s unafraid to return connected woke and powerful firm interests while putting nan values of mundane Floridians first and foremost."

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks astir his book "The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival" successful Doral, Florida, connected Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Jose A. Iglesias/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) (Jose A. Iglesias/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

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The acme will characteristic aggregate speeches and events pinch members of Congress, blimpish leaders and starring media commentators, including a Thursday invited reception astatine George Washington’s Mount Vernon pinch Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and a Friday evening gala pinch Fox News big Tucker Carlson, nan merchandise stated.

Heritage’s seventh version of "Mandate for Leadership," written by much than 400 scholars, will besides beryllium released astatine nan summit, nan merchandise said.

The announcement comes aft DeSantis skipped CPAC earlier this period to attend the Club for Growth’s yearly convention successful Palm Beach while Trump hurled criticisms astatine his imaginable rival from nan CPAC stage.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a triumph reside aft defeating Democratic gubernatorial campaigner Rep. Charlie Crist during his predetermination nighttime watch statement astatine nan Tampa Convention Center connected November 8, 2022 successful Tampa, Florida.  ((Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images))

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks astatine nan New Hampshire Republican State Committee's Annual Meeting connected January 28, 2023 successful Salem, New Hampshire. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Trump delivered nan keynote astatine nan Heritage acme past year.

"Everyone present tonight, very typical people, is agreed by nan aforesaid cardinal ideas and nan aforesaid halfway values," nan then-president said successful his address. "We judge that nan Declaration of Independence and nan American Constitution correspond nan pinnacle of quality civilization. Our founding documents are not a root of shame. They are a root of pride."

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