Donald Trump and Top Republican Candidates Skip CPAC 2026 as Movement Faces Internal Rifts

Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)·March 23 – April 1, 2026

20 days ago

Donald Trump and Top Republican Candidates Skip CPAC 2026 as Movement Faces Internal Rifts

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) met in Texas this year with a noticeable lack of high-profile leadership. For the first time in ten years, Donald Trump opted to skip the event. Other major Republican presidential candidates also decided not to attend. This left Senator Ted Cruz as the primary high-profile speaker to address the activist base. The absence of top-tier candidates highlights growing divisions within the party regarding the future direction of the conservative movement. Attendees noted a shift in the event's atmosphere as the MAGA movement adopts a more professional tone. However, the conference also saw lower attendance from young voters and fewer high-profile officials than in previous years. Discussions at the event centered on internal rifts over foreign policy and trade. These changes suggest a significant shift in how the organization interacts with the traditional Washington establishment.

Trump Poised to Skip CPAC For First Time in a DecadeRepublican presidential bigs skip CPAC as Ted Cruz prepares to fire up conservative crowdCPAC 2026 loses relevancy with young voters

Key Statements

WWashington Examiner

“CPAC 2026 convenes in Texas with lower attendance from high-profile officials and young voters, highlighting internal conservative divisions over foreign policy.”

It documents the decline in attendance and the specific policy disagreements within the movement.

TTIME

“Donald Trump is expected to skip the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the first time since 2016 to focus on his presidential campaign.”

This confirms a major shift in the event's relevance to the party's top leadership.