Trump Ends 15-Year CPAC Attendance Streak During Iran Conflict
For the first time in fifteen years, former President Donald Trump will not be attending the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a decision influenced by the ongoing war in Iran. CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp confirmed this significant shift, noting that the geopolitical situation has inevitably altered the relationship between Trump and the conference.
Conference Relocates to Texas with Strategic Intent
The 2026 CPAC event was held at the Gaylord Texan hotel and convention center in Grapevine, Texas, marking a deliberate move away from its traditional venue near Washington, DC. Schlapp explained that this relocation to the Dallas suburb, just minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, was made to better serve conservative activists who prefer not to gather in the capital. The central Texas location also emphasizes the state's critical role in upcoming Republican midterm election strategies.
Schlapp stated, "They don't want to be in DC." He added that he discussed the move with Trump, acknowledging the president's understanding of the changing circumstances.
Notable Absences and Straw Poll Dynamics
Beyond Trump's absence, several high-profile figures were missing from this year's conference. Vice President JD Vance, seen as a potential successor to Trump, did not attend, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top cabinet officials. The annual CPAC straw poll, which gauges grassroots support for presidential candidates, previously showed Vance leading with 61 percent in 2025. However, Rubio's popularity has been rising due to his handling of key foreign policy initiatives during Trump's second term.
Schlapp emphasized that Trump would always be welcome at CPAC, but activists are now confronting the future of conservatism without his direct involvement. "I don't like the topic," he admitted. "I don't look forward to having that conversation, but it was inevitable."
New Voices and Intentional Programming Shifts
This year's conference featured a deliberate pivot away from established conservative media personalities like Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Mark Levin. Schlapp aimed to avoid public disputes over the Iran war that have divided the movement. Instead, CPAC highlighted emerging figures such as fraud investigator Nick Shirley, Daily Wire podcaster Isabel Brown, and social media influencer Alex Lorusso, aligning with the event's "action over words" theme.
Schlapp praised these new voices, recalling how figures like the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk began their careers at CPAC. He stressed the importance of refreshing the conservative movement with younger perspectives, stating, "I'm getting older. There are people that have been involved in the conservative movement for a long time, and then the beautiful thing of it, there'll be new voices that come up."
Support for Trump's Foreign Policy and Attendance Highlights
Schlapp expressed broad support for Trump's decision to engage in the Iran conflict, referencing Trump's early political speeches against the Obama-era nuclear deal. "Most people here trust Trump," he said. "They trust his judgment. They believe that he and Marco Rubio have been very wise in how they've handled diplomacy and how they've handled the military."
The highest-ranking Trump administration officials present included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, White House Border Czar Tom Homan, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. Their attendance underscored a focus on practical governance over media spectacle.
As CPAC evolves, Schlapp advised future conservative leaders to emulate Trump's accessibility and engagement. "Whoever wants to have the mantle of Trump should learn from Trump," he noted. "When you called Donald Trump, he called you back. When you invited Donald Trump, he showed up. He was so available." This emphasis on interaction with media, activists, and community leaders remains a cornerstone for those aspiring to follow in Trump's footsteps.
