President Donald Trump did not attend one of the biggest yearly meetings of conservatives for the first time in nearly a decade.
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Tibbetts, died on Wednesday morning. He was 23.Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Saturday, March 28, 2026. CPAC Chairman, Matt Schlapp applauds during a speech by exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Saturday, March 28, 2026. Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Saturday, March 28, 2026. The crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference gives exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi a standing ovation in Dallas, Saturday, March 28, 2026. Steve Bannon speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, in Dallas, Friday, March 27, 2026. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Saturday, March 28, 2026. – For the first time in nearly a decade, President Donald Trump did not attend one of the biggest annual meetings of conservatives. But even in his absence, the Conservative Political Action Conference revolved around him., when conservatives were riding high after Trump's return to office and Elon Musk waved a chain saw to symbolize his new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.From the conference's opening moments, speaker after speaker appealed for unity. “They want us divided,” warned Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC whose husband, Matt, chairs the organization.“We can discuss our differences, but do it with respect without attacking and tearing down the other person,” he said. “Save that for the socialists.” Conservative influencer Benny Johnson said he was “well aware” of debates within the conservative movement but said Trump's supporters should focus on his victories, such as tighter border security. “I want to establish something very clearly here that your enemy is not the people that you have good-faith disagreements with inside your movement,” he said. “Your enemy is the Marxist, and they’re going to be running against us hard in the midterms and in 2028.”It was clear, however, that the conservative movement was not on the same page about the war with Iran. While there was little criticism of Trump, some warned against deepening the conflict. “A ground invasion of Iran will make our country poorer and less safe. It will mean higher gas prices, higher food prices, and I’m not sure we would end up killing more terrorists than we would create,” said former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, said that “the decision in going forward is obviously the commander in chief’s,” but he suggested that the American people still need to be convinced. “You have to be convinced that this is the right thing to do, particularly now that we’re on the eve of potentially the insertion of American combat troops,” he said. “Your sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons could be onshows that Trump risks frustrating his voters if gas prices continue rising as the country faces the kind of prolonged war in the Middle East thattold the gathering he was ready to lead a new Iranian government and would call on the country's citizens to rise up when the “right moment arrives.”He hasn't lived in Iran for five decades, but was interrupted several times by enthusiastic applause and cheers. He praised Trump for attacking Iran, and suggested that the country could one day be a U.S. ally.“President Trump is making America great again," Pahlavi said."I intend to make Iran great again.”Trump's handling of immigration got some of the biggest applause at the conference, and one of the special guests included recently retired Border Patrol commander. He had led high-profile urban crackdowns but was pushed aside after two protesters were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. Bovino briefly came onstage during Benny Johnson's speech. The actor Dean Cain also shook Bovino's hand. Tom Homan, Trump's border czar who took over for Bovino in Minnesota, was also at the conference. He drew cheers when he said Trump wouldn't walk away from his deportation campaign.Top administration officials made clear Trump's ambitions for reshaping the country. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said more than 200 people who participated in investigations of the president were fired, retired or quit. “President Trump, for the first time in modern history, has said, ‘I am the president,’" said Blanche, who previously worked as Trump's defense attorney. “And if you work in the executive branch, you work for me.” Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the president's influence over the media, pointing to PBS and NPR being defunded and praising the departure of people like Stephen Colbert,Every year, CPAC conducts a straw poll as an informal measure of conservatives' sentiments. Asked who they wanted as Republicans' presidential nominee in 2028, Vice President JD Vance finished first with 53% support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was second with 35%. No other potential candidate surpassed 2% support. As in previous years, CPAC leaned into its relationships overseas.Conservatives from Australia, Brazil Germany, Hungary and Japan also appeared on stage to say they're developing or working to put on similar conferences in their nations.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsGAME DAY ⚾🦐 The defending Triple-A National Champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp returnShould an HOA or property management company be required to post parking rules for visitors?Fights erupt at Palatka Junior-Senior High after field trip focused on mental healthMother of teen punched during arrest says officer went too far⚾️ Opening Day + perfect weather=the ultimate Friday night in JaxStudy finds most ‘Mayport Shrimp’ dishes served in Jacksonville area are actually importedNew ‘larger format’ Publix store in SilverLeaf features wine bar, expanded deli menu, custom pizzasFamily of A’hmari Robinson shares stories at candlelight vigil days after his deathGetting ready for the next GROW ROUND! 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