Conservatives are gathering in Grapevine, Texas, for one of their largest annual political events, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), at a moment of significant challenge and division for former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. This year’s conference, held just outside Dallas, comes amidst a backdrop of political uncertainty, internal party debates, and contentious foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding the war in Iran.
Last year, CPAC was marked by high spirits and optimism for the Republican Party, with President Trump freshly returned to office and promising to build a “new and lasting political majority.” The event was filled with symbolic gestures of conservative strength, including Elon Musk’s dramatic chainsaw demonstration to highlight the administration’s efforts to reduce government size and bureaucracy. This year, however, the tone is noticeably different. The party is grappling with a series of pressing issues—most notably, the fallout from Trump’s military action in Iran—and the gathering reflects the tensions and uncertainties facing conservatives today.
Although Trump remains a dominant figure on the right with substantial support, the war in Iran represents a significant point of contention. Trump’s “America First” campaign famously emphasized avoiding foreign entanglements, making the military conflict a controversial topic among his base. The Iran war is expected to be a recurring subject of debate and discussion at CPAC, both behind closed doors and in public forums. Thousands of activists, influencers, and Republican lawmakers have convened to navigate these internal divisions and strategize for the months ahead.
One of the most prominent voices at CPAC is Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally known for his influential role in the MAGA movement. Bannon has openly expressed concerns about the war’s potential to harm the Republican Party’s electoral prospects. On his War Room podcast, he warned that if the conflict in Iran turns into a prolonged and difficult engagement, it could lead to a loss of conservative voters in the upcoming midterm elections. His perspective underscores a broader anxiety among some conservatives that the war could alienate the party’s core supporters who are wary of extended U.S. military involvement overseas.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is also speaking at the conference, has taken a more hawkish stance. Cruz supports the military action in Iran and framed it as a necessary step to protect American lives. In a recent CBS News interview, he praised Trump’s decision and emphasized the importance of strong defense policies. Cruz’s position highlights the divide within the Republican Party between those who favor a robust military approach and others who advocate for restraint and caution in foreign affairs.
Another notable figure at CPAC is former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, who has sparked controversy within the conservative movement over his views on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Gaetz has criticized the longstanding alliance between the United States and Israel, arguing that the U.S. has been too close to Israel in its opposition to Iran. His stance aligns with a growing faction of conservatives, including media personalities like Tucker Carlson, who have questioned the traditional pro-Israel consensus. These views have led to accusations of antisemitism from certain Republican groups and complicated the party’s internal dynamics on foreign policy.
In addition to these high-profile speakers, the conference features a range of other conservative leaders and activists, such as Trump’s former border czar Tom Homan and Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman who is running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Their participation reflects the broad coalition of voices that make up the conservative movement today, from immigration hawks to party operatives seeking electoral victories.
The political environment for Trump and the Republican Party has shifted dramatically since last year’s CPAC. While Trump’s base remains largely loyal—an AP-NORC poll from February showed that 86 percent of conservatives approve of his job performance—the broader political landscape is more challenging. Trump’s domestic agenda, particularly his efforts to tighten voting laws ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, has stalled in Congress despite Republican control. Moreover, the party’s hold on both the House and Senate is uncertain, with many analysts predicting difficult battles in November.
Within this context, the war in Iran has become a litmus test for Republican messaging and unity. Texas Representative Steve Toth, a recent primary victor who plans to attend CPAC, acknowledged that while Trump retains strong support among MAGA voters, the party’s communication about the war’s implications could be clearer. Toth suggested that conservatives are not frustrated with Trump himself but feel that the full consequences of the conflict have