Trending Now - CPAC 2026: Trump Supporters Divided on Iran, United in Loyalty
WHO:
AP News - President Donald Trump did not attend the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the first time in nearly a decade.
AP News - Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC, and her husband Matt, who chairs the organization, were present at the conference.
AP News - Evangelist Franklin Graham spoke at the conference.
AP News - Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz expressed concerns about the war with Iran.
AP News - Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, was also present.
AP News - Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi addressed the attendees.
AP News - Gregory Bovino, recently retired Border Patrol commander, was a special guest at the conference.
AP News - Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, spoke at the event.
AP News - Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche discussed Trump's influence over the executive branch.
AP News - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr spoke about Trump's influence over the media.
WHAT:
AP News - Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi stated, "Can you imagine Iran going from death to America to God bless America?" during his address at CPAC.
AP News - A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that rising gas prices due to the war in Iran could frustrate Trump's voters.
AP News - Vice President JD Vance received 53% support in the CPAC straw poll for the 2028 presidential nomination, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio received 35%.
AP News - Hundreds of Iranian Americans attended CPAC and participated in pro-war demonstrations, chanting "thank you, Trump!"
NBC News - Attendees at CPAC expressed trust in Trump while hoping for a swift end to the conflict in Iran.
AP News - Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi stated he is ready to lead a new Iranian government and called for citizens to rise up at the "right moment."
AP News - Pahlavi praised Trump for his stance against Iran, saying, "President Trump is making America great again. I intend to make Iran great again."
AP News - A recent survey by Pew Research Center indicated that nearly eight in 10 Republicans approve of Trump's handling of the war in Iran, although support drops among younger Republicans and conservative-leaning independents.
NPR - Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley emphasized the importance of the midterm elections for Trump's agenda, stating, "We will make absolutely sure that Donald Trump is going to get a four-year term, not a two-year term."
AP News - CPAC revolved around Trump despite his absence, with discussions on unity and avoiding infighting.
AP News - Attendees expressed concerns about the U.S. war with Iran, with some warning against a ground invasion.
AP News - A straw poll conducted at CPAC showed Vice President JD Vance receiving 53% support for the 2028 presidential nomination.
AP News - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received CPAC’s endorsement for the U.S. Senate runoff on May 26, 2026.
AP News - Hundreds of Iranian Americans attended the conference, demonstrating pro-war sentiments.
WHERE:
AP News - The Conservative Political Action Conference took place in Grapevine, Texas.
WHEN:
AP News - CPAC 2026 occurred from March 27th to March 29th, 2026.
AP News - The U.S. began strikes against Iran on February 29th, 2026.
AP News - The U.S. Senate runoff featuring Ken Paxton is scheduled for May 26th, 2026.
WHY:
AP News - Attendees expressed a desire for unity within the Republican Party as they face a difficult midterm election.
AP News - Concerns were raised about the economic impact of a prolonged war in Iran, including rising gas and food prices.
HOW:
AP News - Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that over 200 individuals involved in investigations of Trump were either fired, retired, or quit.
NPR - CPAC featured a focus on newer names in the conservative movement, including 23-year-old content creator Nick Shirley, who gained attention for alleging fraud in Minneapolis day-care centers run by Somali immigrants.
AP News - Speakers at CPAC called for respect and unity among conservatives, urging attendees to focus on shared goals rather than internal disagreements.
(UPDATED March 29, 2026 17:05 UTC)
Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi made headlines at CPAC, stating, "Can you imagine Iran going from death to America to God bless America?" as hundreds of Iranian Americans rallied in support, chanting "thank you, Trump!" Meanwhile, a recent poll revealed that rising gas prices linked to the war in Iran could frustrate Trump's voters, while Vice President JD Vance garnered 53% support in the CPAC straw poll for the 2028 presidential nomination, ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who received 35%. In a related development, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reported that over 200 individuals involved in investigations of Trump have either been fired, retired, or quit.
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(UPDATED March 29, 2026 09:08 UTC)
At CPAC, attendees expressed their trust in Trump while hoping for a quick resolution to the ongoing conflict in Iran, where exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi announced his readiness to lead a new government and called for citizens to rise up at the right moment. Pahlavi praised Trump for his strong stance against Iran, stating that while Trump is making America great again, he intends to make Iran great again as well. Meanwhile, a recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that nearly eight in ten Republicans approve of Trump's handling of the war in Iran, although support wanes among younger Republicans and conservative-leaning independents, as former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley highlighted the critical nature of the midterm elections for Trump's agenda.
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(UPDATED March 29, 2026 01:19 UTC)
President Trump did not attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, for the first time in nearly a decade, yet discussions at the event still revolved around his influence and the need for unity within the Republican Party. Attendees expressed concerns about the ongoing war with Iran and its potential economic impact, while a straw poll showed Vice President JD Vance leading with 53% support for the 2028 presidential nomination. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received CPAC’s endorsement for the upcoming U.S. Senate runoff scheduled for May 26th, as speakers urged conservatives to focus on shared goals instead of internal divisions.