Reflections on CPAC
On the first morning, I had this realization—CPAC feels like it’s losing its pulse. I mean, the signs were there, right? A major one being that it was held in Dallas, far from the usual D.C. scene where the political elite gather. Now, don’t get me wrong, Dallas is my hometown and a fantastic city, but it just feels different. There are also attempts to broaden the reach into places like Hungary and the UK, with Angola possibly on the horizon—who really knows?
Two women, sharply dressed and sporting designer shoes, took the stage. They went by Mercede Shahinkar and Rahele Amiri, presenting as “Victims of the Ayatollahs.” Their message, delivered in shaky English, suggested that the U.S. should consider some extreme measures, including bombing parts of its own country. A handful of older attendees offered polite, tepid applause. Honestly, I found myself zoning out.
Then, out of the blue, there was a loud scream echoing from the hallway. I grabbed my camera and, along with many other press folks, shuffled over to catch what was happening. A spontaneous group of Persians erupted in shouts in their native language, waving Iranian flags. Their placards proclaimed, “Make Iran Great Again,” and they held up photos of Reza Pahlavi, the former shah’s son, hoping for his return. Some may wonder why a figure from the 1970s, living in Maryland for the last three decades, is viewed as the solution for Iran in 2026. I had my doubts, to be honest. Later, I chatted with a young Iranian guy from Glendale, California, wearing a MIGA hat. He seemed bewildered when I asked if he had intentions of returning to Iran.
This odd spectacle of enthusiastic Persian voices pretty much set the tone for the event. It almost felt like there were more Iranians present than Americans. All sorts of minorities were there, seemingly trying to convince us to get involved in their local disputes—something that felt a bit off. I saw flags from Iran, Israel, Cuba, Poland, and more, but the American representation was scant. Except for these flashy USA jackets that seemed to be the hit at the merchandise booths. It’s a sad realization when your country feels like a mere tool for profit or conflict for other nations. I imagine George Washington would have raised an eyebrow.
I had a conversation with some folks from South Korea who were urging me to write about why the U.S. should intervene in their elections—something I just didn’t grasp. I also met people from the UK and Brazil representing their political factions. There’s definitely a pressing need for a conference that aligns right-wing parties globally, but honestly, CPAC didn’t quite fill that niche this year.
One question floated around a lot: why was this year’s conference so notably smaller? That’s a fair question, but it needs a bit more digging.
Well, for one, President Trump decided to give it a skip this time, taking a significant portion of the MAGA momentum with him. Plus, CPAC’s stature seems to have slipped in recent years. Aside from a few friendly ladies selling bright jackets and some odd merchandise like unlicensed shirts, the overall shopping vibe felt lacking. Sure, reporters from conservative outlets were buzzing around, but they didn’t have the kind of presence you’d expect at events like Turning Point USA.
Charlie Kirk’s efforts have transformed Turning Point into a must-attend for conservatives, alongside the National Conservative Conference led by Yoram Hazony. Having been to both recently, it struck me how much more dynamic and energized those gatherings were compared to CPAC. Young people were embraced, and fresh ideas seemed to flow. At CPAC, the atmosphere felt stale, as if it were just a rehashed version of what you see on Fox News. If I had to sum it up, it might be that “more wars” felt like the underlying theme.
There was also the matter of allegations facing CPAC chair Matt Schlapp. While journalistic decorum might encourage softer terms, let’s just say that multiple young individuals have accused him of serious misconduct. He maintains his innocence, yet a rumored settlement was reportedly paid to at least one accuser. Perhaps that’s just me but, after facing several allegations, it might be time to reconsider his role in leading a major conservative organization.
The gathering had its usual theatrics, filled with intriguing personalities and, to some extent, a strange longing for the old RNC politics of the 2000s, as if they were pretending Trump hadn’t exited stage left. I couldn’t help but notice a significant number of transgender individuals milling around. One afternoon, as I nursed a martini, I spotted Lady Maga, a towering transgender influencer, snapping photos with senior citizens—an interesting spectacle that my drinking companion described rather bluntly as “female blackface.”
Curiously, there seemed to be a collective amnesia at play—none of the speakers seriously addressed the looming threat of a major war in the Middle East, which could lead to widespread economic issues. Only former Congressman Matt Gaetz touched on it, while many others seemed to suppress the topic completely.
Generational divisions within conservatism are bound to create confusion in upcoming elections. There’s robust support amongst older conservatives for Israel, with a belief that American policies should prioritize their interests—even justifying the current war effort. However, many younger attendees I spoke with were more skeptical of this relationship and the war at large. This divide is likely to reshape political dynamics as time goes on. There are even murmurs within the younger America First faction about trying to seize control of CPAC, which feels a bit naive considering their frequent disdain for mainstream figures. In the meantime, I can’t help but think that conservatism deserves more than just a parade of foreign flags, trans individuals, and endless grievances.
On my Uber ride home, I had a fascinating conversation with an Egyptian gentleman named Muhammad. He shared insights on Presidents Sadat and Sisi—how one was loved while the other was more feared. He tied the conflict to a mix of factors, including political scandals and the shift away from petrodollars. Despite voting for Trump three times, he expressed deep disappointment at Trump’s failure to prevent another Middle Eastern conflict. He seemed to possess a deeper understanding of global issues than many speakers at the event. As I exited the Uber, I thought a hot shower and stiff drink would be the perfect way to wash away the day’s oddities.
