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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
My Pillow Mike Lindell, Abby Johnson, Ashley Bratcher, Mark Anthony discussing “Unplanned”
Stephanie Trussell and the team | Jasmine Hauser, Yvonne Bolton, & Stephanie Trussell chatting with Governor Scott Walker
Watch for part two of my coverage which might be titled “Where’s Weyermuller? Racking up the Selfies at CPAC 2019.”
