President Donald Trump is “maniacally focused” on his agenda, and does not intend to backtrack on any of his core campaign pledges if he can help it, said Steve Bannon, the president’s chief strategist.

Bannon and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus spoke for roughly 30 minutes at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland, with CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp guiding the conversation.

“If the party and conservative movement are together, similar to Steve and I, it cannot be stopped.”

Trump’s two top lieutenants were welcomed by raucous cheers when they entered the Potomac Ballroom at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel.

Schlapp thanked the two men for running “a continual sprint for 30 days.”

Schlapp noted the back of the large ballroom, where hundreds of reporters and cameramen had gathered.

“Is that the opposition party?” said Steve Bannon, joking.

Priebus wasted no time in saying the work coming out of the Trump White House is constantly being distorted by the media. The distortions have touched on the relationship between Priebus and Bannon, with some media reports suggesting there is tension between the two men.

Priebus was the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. Bannon was the chairman of Breitbart News, which often sees itself at odds with the Republican Establishment.

Some journalists believe the two men do not work well together. Priebus said that is wrong.

“[About us], the biggest misconception is everything you are reading,” said Priebus.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Priebus said when Trump united the factions within the party, he paved a way to victory.

“If the party and conservative movement are together, similar to Steve and I, it cannot be stopped,” said Priebus.

Bannon criticized the media in his remarks, saying the media constantly reported the campaign was in disarray.

“Then you saw them crying [on election night],” said Bannon, to cheers.

Priebus said Trump won because he offered something genuine. Then the media focused on transition stories of chaos, and exaggerated infighting stories about the young administration.

But at the end of the day, Trump is focused on his promises and goals, laid out during the campaign.

“If you want to see the Trump agenda, it’s very simple,” said Bannon. “It’s all in the speeches … Our job every day is to execute that … The media is absolutely dead wrong on what is going on today.”

The Critical Change
Schlapp asked about what the most critical actions in the last 30 days have been.

Priebus said U.S. Judge Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, is perhaps the biggest change, representing a change of about 40 years in law.

“Neil Gorsuch represents the type of judge that has the vision of Donald Trump,” said Priebus.

Another major change has been deregulation. Trump has signed an order to downsize the Federal Register, by subtracting two regulations for every new one.

And, of course, Priebus noted immigration reform would be delivered.

A Nation with an Economy
Bannon’s outline was more focused on the revival of the national identity both he and his Breitbart publication longed for.

Bannon called it “economic nationalism,” with a focus on tight borders and a shunning of complicated multilateral trade deals that hurt U.S. jobs.

“We’re a nation with an economy, not an economy just in some global marketplace with open borders,” said Bannon, echoing sentiments Trump often shared on the campaign trail in 2016.

Bannon said one of the key Trump actions so far in this regard was the withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Bannon said Trump’s policies will bring back high-paying jobs that add value to the U.S. economy.

Stick Together
Priebus and Bannon both made pleas to keep the energy and enthusiasm that elevated Trump to the White House going.

“We need to stick together to make sure we have President Trump for eight years,” said Priebus.

“We want you to have our back,” said Bannon. But sounding a Breitbartesque tone, Bannon said he would rather see oversight from Trump’s supporters than blind support.

“More importantly, hold us accountable,” Bannon said.