NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — In years past, the Conservative Political Action Conference served as a meeting place for those on the Right to discuss the future of the Republican Party. Now, it serves as an echo chamber with one man at the center: former President Donald Trump.
In its heyday, CPAC was lauded as the country’s largest Republican gathering and provided an opportunity for rising stars in the party to dip their toes in the spotlight. It allowed presidential hopefuls to share the stage as they competed against each other for the GOP nomination.
Now, however, things are different.
The halls once lined with outlets such as Fox News have been replaced with alternative media groups such as NewsMax and Steven Bannon’s War Room. Reporters from news outlets such as the Washington Post and HuffPost have even been barred from the event due to their perceived slant against Republicans.
“If you’re a propagandist, you can buy a ticket like everyone else,” Matt Schlapp, chairman of CPAC’s host organization, told Bannon earlier this week. “But you’re not in the media, and we’re not going to credential you by saying you’re in the media.”
Meanwhile, the exhibition room is flooded with MAGA hats and other Trump-related paraphernalia. The speaker lineup is filled with allies of the former president and those auditioning to be his running mate in November.
Much of the conference has Trump’s face plastered all over merchandise, transforming the gathering into a coronation for his reelection bid. In fact, his only remaining challenger, Nikki Haley, is not even slated to appear during the four-day convention.
As a result, it’s unlikely to hear attendees express support for anyone aside from Trump, while most speakers on the stage repeatedly declared Trump as the GOP nominee — even before the primary cycle is over.
“I really would like to see Donald Trump back in office,” attendee Tara Rabun said. “He’s the only person that can right the ship.”
Rather than focusing on the future of the party, much of the conversation has remained focused on 2020. Attendees wear T-shirts challenging the results of the election, and there are booths situated around the hall calling for the liberation of Jan. 6 rioters.
One such group, the January 6 Legal Defense Fund, was present at the event to promote its goal of reducing legal fees for those charged in connection with the Capitol riot. Spokespeople for the group said several attendees who approached the table were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and expressed their disdain for the legal fallout of the riot.
“There’s a lot of hope that should President Trump be elected, he will pardon and exonerate a lot of these individuals who have been convicted or unfairly punished,” spokesman Samson Racioppi told the Washington Examiner. “We’ve had a number of people come by the table and be like, ‘I was in D.C. that day, I saw things firsthand, and I can attest that what’s happening is unfair.’”
The tables once occupied by organizations to the right such as the Leadership Institute and Turning Point USA have disappeared from the conference altogether. Instead, they are replaced with groups such as the John Birch Society, which was once rejected by Republicans for its far-right ideologies.
“People are waking up. Our message is being” accepted, David Giordano, a field director for the John Birch Society, told the Washington Examiner.
“A lot more people’s minds are open,” he added.
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As more members of the fringe are accepted, it raises questions about the future of the Republican Party. For many, it highlights a break within the GOP, often highlighted as a rift between those aligned with party leadership and an anti-establishment movement.
“I will tell you this: There are Republicans, and there are conservatives,” said Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. “Some Republicans are conservatives, and [they] are willing to save the Republic.”
