CPAC 2026 USA has drawn prominent political figures from across the United States and around the world, reaffirming the United States’ status as the heart of modern conservatism.
The annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), one of the largest gatherings of conservative leaders in the U.S., officially opened on March 25 at the Gaylord Convention Center in Grapevine, near Dallas. The four-day event comes at a pivotal moment as the Trump administration enters its second term and gears up for the upcoming November midterm elections.
Unlike last year’s event, which largely celebrated the launch of President Donald Trump’s second administration, this year’s conference is focused on assessing policy direction and consolidating conservative strategy moving forward.
Senior officials from the Trump administration are playing a central role at CPAC USA 2026, offering updates on governance and outlining future priorities.
Attendees include Border Czar Tom Homan, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr. Influential Republican lawmakers such as Senators Ted Cruz and Rick Scott are also participating, engaging in discussions on legislative agendas and party platform priorities.
CPAC continues to serve as a global platform for conservative collaboration. This year’s event features representatives from eight countries, including South Korea, Japan, Hungary, and Australia.
Former South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is scheduled to speak at the international summit. Other high-profile participants include Polish President Karol Nawrocki and former U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss, reflecting the conference’s expanding international reach.
The event is also expected to act as a barometer for conservative perspectives on the ongoing Iran conflict. With Reza Pahlavi, the former Iranian crown prince, in attendance, observers are closely watching for signals on foreign policy direction—particularly regarding interventionist tendencies within an “America First” framework.
Notably, CPAC USA 2026 marks the first time the conference has been held in Texas across both Trump administrations. The choice of location underscores efforts to strengthen conservative unity in a key Republican stronghold.
However, President Trump, a regular CPAC speaker since 2016, announced he will not attend this year’s event. He had originally been scheduled to deliver the closing keynote address but opted out due to pressing national security concerns, including developments related to the Iran conflict.
What is CPAC?
The Conservative Political Action Conference, organized by the American Conservative Union (ACU) since 1974, is widely regarded as one of the most influential events shaping modern American conservatism. Over the past decade, it has also become a central hub for the MAGA movement, significantly influencing the Republican Party’s identity and policy direction.
