Republicans CPAC

Attendees wait in line to enter the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as the annual gathering of thousands of conservatives from around the country and overseas begins.

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Conservatives gather for CPAC with the right openly divided over the Iran war

Conservatives gather for CPAC with the right openly divided over the Iran war

Conservatives are holding one of their largest annual gatherings as President Donald Trump faces a tough moment and a growing rift over the Iran war. The Conservative Political Action Conference begins Wednesday near Dallas. While Trump maintains broad support among conservatives, the Iran war is more than a wrinkle for activists drawn to his “America First” campaign pledge against getting involved in foreign conflicts. Some featured speakers at the conference back the war, but others warn it could drain support from voters ahead of the midterm elections. Trump ally Steve Bannon calls the Iran conflict risky for conservatives while Texas Sen. Ted Cruz defends Trump’s decision as “exactly right.”