Trending Now - Generational Split Among MAGA Supporters Highlighted at CPAC

WHO:

Alternet - President Donald Trump did not attend the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the first time in a decade.

Alternet - Erik Prince, former CEO of the Blackwater mercenary group, spoke at CPAC.

Alternet - Jason Redman, former Navy SEAL, participated in discussions at CPAC.

Alternet - Ric Grenell, Trump administration diplomat, addressed the audience.

Alternet - Matt Gaetz, Republican former congressman, expressed his views at CPAC.

Alternet - Steve Bannon, Trump's former adviser, urged unity among attendees.

The Guardian - Deanna Averett, 87, expressed her views on the military campaign.

The Guardian - Gary Polakoff, 18, shared his concerns about the war.

The Guardian - John Christy, 19, voiced his opposition to "forever wars."

The Guardian - Stephan Norquist, 21, commented on the arguments presented at CPAC.

The Guardian - Lisa Musket, 60, expressed her trust in Trump despite her concerns.

WHAT:

Alternet - CPAC became a stage for airing anxieties about the ongoing war in Iran.

Alternet - Erik Prince warned of potential consequences of a ground invasion, predicting "imagery of burning American warships."

Alternet - Jason Redman stated, "The American people have to understand we can’t stop now that we’ve started."

Alternet - Ric Grenell praised Trump's decision to enter the war, predicting Americans would be grateful for it in months.

Alternet - Matt Gaetz warned that a ground invasion would make America "poorer and less safe."

Alternet - Steve Bannon called for attendees to support the MAGA project regardless of concerns.

The Guardian - CPAC featured heavy attendance by supporters of Iran's former crown prince Reza Pahlavi.

The Guardian - Gas prices have climbed to their highest levels in four years.

The Guardian - Democrats flipped a Florida state house seat that includes Mar-a-Lago.

WHERE:

Alternet - The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) took place in Grapevine, Texas.

The Guardian - The CPAC venue was near Dallas, Texas.

WHEN:

Alternet - CPAC occurred in March 2026.

The Guardian - The war in Iran was a central topic of discussion at CPAC in March 2026.

WHY:

Alternet - The discussions at CPAC reflected significant fractures within Trump's movement regarding the war in Iran.

The Guardian - Older attendees viewed the military campaign as religiously ordained or as a resolution to historical grievances dating back to the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crisis.

HOW:

Alternet - Attendees at CPAC engaged in debates about the wisdom and trajectory of the war in Iran.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 17:08 UTC)

President Trump did not attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, for the first time in a decade, while other notable figures like Erik Prince and Matt Gaetz voiced their opinions on the ongoing war in Iran. The discussions at CPAC highlighted significant divisions within Trump's movement, with some attendees expressing strong support for the military campaign and others warning of its potential consequences. As gas prices reached their highest levels in four years, the event also saw heavy attendance from supporters of Iran's former crown prince, Reza Pahlavi.