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Where’s Weyermuller? With President Donald J. Trump at CPAC 2019

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President Trump at CPAC | Photo by Carly Campbell

By Mark Weyermuller - 

The Conservative Political Action Conference commonly called CPAC met last week at Gaylord National Resort just outside of Washington D.C. The conference lasted four days with hundreds of speakers, meetings and breakout sessions. You can see the agenda and watch most of the speakers here on the CPAC link: http://cpac.conservative.org/agenda/

The event is run by the American Conservative Union (ACU) led by Matt Schlapp. It’s being reported that Schlapp might be running for U.S. Senate in 2020 from his home state of Kansas.

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State Rep. Allen Skillicorn with ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp

The four-day conference begins with Activism Boot Camp, an unparalleled initiative that brings together the finest conservative organizations involved in activism training and campaign management. The remaining three days of the conference unite the political leaders of the conservative movement with the people who make up the movement. As President Ronald Reagan said in 1985, “CPAC is the opportunity to dance with the one who brung ya.”

The highlight of the week was President Donald J. Trump addressing the crowd of 10,000, the largest gathering ever of CPAC according to Matt Schlapp. One might say this was “MAGA Country.”  

Thousands more watched the president online, and perhaps millions more watched on CSPAN, Fox News, and other cable outlets which aired his record breaking two hour speech live. The president had a prepared speech on the teleprompter but chose to go offscript and just talk to the enthusiastic crowd.

During the speech the president spoke about a student activist who was punched in the face while working with Turning Point USA. He surprised the crowd by inviting Hayden Williams  the victim of the assault on stage. He received  a standing ovation.  The president also gave a shout out to Turning Point USA leaders Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens.

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Hayden Williams on stage with President Trump

Much of the behind the scenes activity at CPAC was on “Radio Row” in the hallway with over 50 booths of people doing radio, podcasts, and television. Downstairs had an exhibit hall with over 70 booths of displays, groups, and vendors including a “Trump Store.” 

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RNC Chairman Ronna McDaniel being interviewed on Radio Row – Blacks for Trump

Other speakers included Vice President Mike Pence, Radio Host Mark Levin, NRA President Wayne LaPierre, Ben Carson, Senator Ted Cruz, RNC Chairman Ronna McDaniel, Nigel Farage, Van Jones on criminal justice reform, Rick Santorum, Joy Villa, Governor Scott Walker, Senator Lindsey Graham, Sebastian Gorka, Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump Jr, Congressman Mark Meadows, Mike  Lindell, the My Pillow Man along with Diamond and Silk. A big part of the conference is not only listening to the speakers but also interacting with them all week.  Of course i took my share of photos including a few selfies. 

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US Senator Ted Cruz -David Webb & Kellyanne Conway on Radio Row 

The pro-life film titled “Unplanned” was shown Thursday night. It is a movie about Abby Johnson, a Planned Parenthood Director who became a pro life advocate after witnessing an abortion firsthand. She did a Q & A afterwards along with Mike Lindell ( My Pillow Guy) who has a cameo in the film and help finance it. Actors from the film also participated on stage, Ashley Bratcher who plays Johnson and Brooks Ryan who plays her husband.  The film has been given a “R” rating so a teenager cannot see it yet she can receive an abortion. Pro-life activists hope this film will “change hearts.”  I wrote about the film last month. It will be released on 800 screens on March 29, 2019. 

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My Pillow Mike Lindell, Abby Johnson, Ashley Bratcher, Mark Anthony discussing “Unplanned”

 
On Saturday, I had the honor of co-hosting on Stephanie Trussell with her live radio show on 50,000 watt WLS 890-AM from the Washington DC Cumulus radio station. We were also joined by Illinois State Representative Allen Skillicorn, Yvonne Bolton, and Jasmine Hauser.   You can hear the rebroadcast here.
 
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Stephanie Trussell and the team | Jasmine Hauser, Yvonne Bolton, & Stephanie Trussell chatting with Governor Scott Walker 
 
The CPAC 2019 general theme all week was “What Makes America Great” with conservatives here promoting freedom, liberty, and opportunity. I encourage anybody interested in politics and public policy to attend CPAC 2020 on February 26-March 1, 2020. Save the date and I’ll see you there. This being an election year, I dare say it will be HUGE! 
 
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Watch for part two of my coverage which might be titled “Where’s Weyermuller? Racking up the Selfies at CPAC 2019.”

 
Trump photo on top by Carly Campbell use by permission, rest of photos from Mark Weyermuller
 
Mark Weyermuller is small business person, real estate professional, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist and regular contributor to Illinois Review. Mark can be heard weekly on the radio in a "man in the street segment" at 5:31pm as a regular guest on the Stephanie Trussell Show heard Saturday afternoons 3-6pm on 50,000 watt WLS 890-AM.
 
Illinois Review
Illinois Review
Founded in 2005, Illinois Review is the leading perspective and source of conservative news, opinion and information in Illinois. Follow Illinois Review on X at @IllinoisReview.

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