CPAC 2026: A Rallying Cry Amidst Internal Tensions
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2026 in Texas served as a powerful display of support for President Donald Trump, but beneath the surface, cracks within the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement were evident. While the event largely functioned as a pep rally for the former President, concerns regarding the war with Iran, Trump’s relationship with Israel, and the handling of sensitive cases like the Jeffrey Epstein files lingered.
A United Front…On the Surface
Day one of CPAC was dominated by enthusiastic endorsements of Trump’s policies. A steady stream of speakers and panelists lauded the President, largely avoiding discussion of the movement’s internal divisions. Key figures within the MAGA sphere, like commentator Benny Johnson, urged attendees to prioritize unity and focus their energy on opposing Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.
“Your enemy is not the people that you have good-faith disagreement with inside your movement,” Johnson emphasized. “Your enemy is the Marxists, and they’re going to be running against us hard in the midterms and in 2028.”
Rock Star Reception for Trump Administration Alumni
Prominent figures from the Trump administration, including retiring Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and border czar Tom Homan, received enthusiastic receptions. International conservatives, such as Britain’s Liz Truss, also voiced their support for Trump, echoing his familiar rhetoric. Truss cautioned attendees about a “deep state” within America and urged conservatives to “remove them” while in power.
Controversial Policies Receive Applause
Even controversial decisions made during Trump’s administration, such as military strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels, were met with approval. Mercedes Schlapp, a veteran of the first Trump White House and co-leader of CPAC, expressed her enthusiasm: “I love when they blow up those boats! Every time there is one of those narco terrorist boats blown up, I’m like, yes, let’s do it again!”
Key Takeaways from CPAC Day One
- Michael Whatley’s Senate Bid: Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, running for Senate in North Carolina, pledged to be “an ally for Trump” and framed his opponent as a member of the “woke mob.”
- Unified Agenda: Whatley asserted that Republicans across battleground states are running on Trump’s “America First” agenda.
- Matt Gaetz Calls for Action: Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz criticized GOP leaders for not fully utilizing their congressional majority, urging them to “take it out for a spin.”
- Justice for Trump: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche vowed to pursue “justice” against those who prosecuted Trump, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
- Settlement with Michael Flynn: Blanche highlighted the settlement with Michael Flynn, addressing concerns from the right regarding perceived wrongful prosecutions.
A Subdued Atmosphere Compared to Previous Years
Unlike the electric atmosphere of CPAC 2025, this year’s gathering felt more subdued, marked by unease regarding the war with Iran, concerns about the effectiveness of Trump’s immigration policies, and a perceived enthusiasm gap with Democrats. Some attendees expressed a desire for a more forward-looking agenda.
“We’re not united behind a real agenda, united behind real issues that we’re pushing to the public,” said Shashank Yalamanchi, a University of Florida law student. “Usually when we do push issues, it’s the same old tired thing that people have been talking about for years. So I think people want to see new things, they want to see bold things.”
Absence of Key Figures
The absence of President Trump (for the first time since 2016), Vice President JD Vance, and tech billionaire Elon Musk contributed to a less vibrant event. Empty seats were noticeable, and speakers occasionally had to actively encourage audience participation.
Kyle Sills, a local political consultant, expressed concern about complacency within the Republican party. “There’s a lot of bickering and infighting going on,” he said. “And I think it’s time we come together and let’s see what we can do.”
Source: CNN
