US Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina recently posted a video that raised eyebrows, and likely a fair amount of concern.
The Republican congressman labeled the video "Creating the Plan to Win" and included the caption "BEHIND THE SCENES" at the bottom of the 11-second clip.
What surprised viewers most was the presence of former President Donald Trump, seated dead center among the attendees.
During the video, a man in the room called the attendees at this mysterious meeting a "special group."
Cawthorn eventually removed the video, but former Republican prosecutor turned Democratic defense attorney Ron Filipkowski saved it and shared it on his Twitter page.
It\u2019s like Madison Cawthorn is treating his meeting with Trump today like a reality show, while Trump is trying to game-plan getting back in the WH.pic.twitter.com/rIVnDF8TDn— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1627868242
Cawthorn also Tweeted a number of photos from the event.
On Saturday, I hosted a round table with special guest President Donald Trump and several key business leaders to create a path forward to victory for the country and to provide election security nationwide.pic.twitter.com/UGaS6umFEc— Madison Cawthorn (@Madison Cawthorn) 1627852722
Leaving the meeting's intent ambiguous, he called it a "round table" whose goal was to "create a path forward to victory" and to "provide election security nationwide," while referring to the former president as a "special guest."
The timing of the video was of particular interest, as it comes just after Trump's former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows announced he had been meeting with the former President and "Cabinet Members."
As reported by The Huffington Post, Meadows told Newsmax:
"I'm not authorized to speak on behalf of the president, but I can tell you this: We wouldn't be meeting tonight if we weren't making plans to move forward in a real way, with President Trump at the head of that ticket."
Many were alarmed how Meadows referred to Trump, who lost to Joe Biden in a highly contentious election, as "the president," as if he were in exile and hadn't lost the election.
The meetings have left people curious, if not terrified, about what possible plans are being unfurled.
Filipkowski and others seem convinced that the meeting is connected to a September 18 rally planned at the Capitol, which was recently announced by Look Ahead America, a conservative not-for-profit whose website describes their mission as:
"...To register, educate, and enfranchise these disaffected citizens and ensure that their voices are not just heard but heeded and that the American Dream becomes their dream again."
Filipkowski tweeted a video of Look Ahead America's Executive Director Matt Braynard announcing the September 18 rally on Steve Bannon's War Room.
I can\u2019t tell exactly what they are talking about, but after listening to it a few times, it could be this.https://twitter.com/ronfilipkowski/status/1421156486781227011\u00a0\u2026— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1627868735
In the video, Braynard announced the rally will take place "where it all started." He referred to the January 6 Capitol insurrection as a "phony narrative," and called those who stormed the Capitol a "largely peaceful crowd."
Linking the rally and the mysterious meeting in Cawthorn's video was Braynard's announcement of "high profile speakers," including members of congress.
This led many to join in Filipkowski's theory on Twitter.
Wonder if this is the "cabinet meeting" which insurrection enabler Mark Meadows was referring to? #BigLie #ProsecuteTheInsurrectors #GQPTraitorsToDemocracy #Jan6NeverAgain— John Yap (@John Yap) 1627873040
Trump\u2019s coup is ongoing.— Em (@Em) 1627868683
Sedition on film.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1422008590601265152\u00a0\u2026— jimmy craig (@jimmy craig) 1627897031
A Shadow cabinet meeting, setting up a platform for a new insurrection to seize the government!!\nHopefully the @FBI is aware of this political factions secret intentions \n@SpeakerPelosi \n@RepAdamSchiff \n@RepSwalwell— Patti Rod (@Patti Rod) 1627879004
Planning you're next attack on the Capitol??? It looks like the dinner scene from the Godfatherhttps://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1422008590601265152\u00a0\u2026— Maureen Schroeder (@Maureen Schroeder) 1627902644
Others were less concerned about the September rally, but fascinated and amused by Rep. Cawthorn unapologetically trying to curry favor with Trump.
The baffling video was taken at a $50,000-per-plate fundraising dinner at the former President's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The event was met with considerable apathy, particularly as the young Congressman has already spent $1.5 Million of the $1.8 million he's amassed in fundraising for the year, mostly on air travel and accommodation.
You lost me at Trump and several key business leaders...\n\nThat is an oxymoron if there ever was one!— John (@John) 1627852795
Madison Cawthorn attended a $50,000 per seat fundraiser in New Jersey. He previously stated that reps should only be able to fundraise within their own districts. #NC11DeservesBetterpic.twitter.com/YGnreig3hc— Rochelle (@Rochelle) 1627852817
Was this a grifting opportunity? \n\nA slew of business 'leaders' and TFG have no business talking about election security. Esp. when he tried to get one thrown out.— COPersists (@COPersists) 1627852998
a three time bankruptcy ex president as a special guest— Peter Reilly \ud83d\udc99 (@Peter Reilly \ud83d\udc99) 1627853114
Filipkowski made an interesting point in a reply to his own tweet, wondering if the former President will be pleased by all the attention this mysterious meeting has now received.
With Trump still temporarily banned from Twitter, we may never know for sure.
