Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday hinted at a possible run for president in 2024, attacked President Joe Biden and denied his failure in the 2020 election as he returned to the spotlight for the first time since leaving the White House nearly six weeks ago.

The 74-year-old addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando in a highly-anticipated keynote speech. But while he teased his future plans, he left the crowd guessing about whether he will challenge Biden in a rematch. "Actually you know they just lost the White House," Trump said of Democrats, again promoting the falsehood that he was denied a second term because of election fraud. 

"With your help we will take back the House, we will win the Senate, and then a Republican president will make a triumphant return to the White House – and I wonder who that will be?" Trump said to a raucous cheer.

"But who knows, who knows?" he boomed. "I may even decide to beat them for a third time, OK?"

"We're in a struggle for the survival of America as we know it," Trump said. "This is a terrible, terrible, painful struggle." 

He said the "incredible" populist movement that propelled him to victory four plus years ago is just beginning, "and in the end, we will win." 

Trump also put to rest the rumors that he might take his base of support to create a new political party. 

"I am not starting a new party," Trump said. "We have the Republican Party. It's going to unite and be stronger than ever before." 

Trump as expected took swipes at Biden, saying the Democrat just concluded a "disastrous" first month in office.

In his rambling 90-minute speech he attacked immigrants, slammed "cancel culture," criticized Biden policies on climate change and energy, and repeated his false claims that "illegal" actions by Democrats had cost him the election.

But he also took aim at Republicans he feels betrayed him – a strong signal that he will seek to help oust them in upcoming elections. 

He called out by name the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach him in the House of Representatives, and the seven Republicans who voted unsuccessfully to convict him in the Senate. 

"Get rid of them all," he seethed, while the crowd jeered.

(With input from AFP)

(Cover: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida, U.S. February 28, 2021. /Reuters)