MAGA civil war erupts as Trump ally runs Epstein ads to block Bannon from CPAC

Roger Stone's campaign aims to keep Steve Bannon away from the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:56pm

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The MAGA movement is embroiled in infighting, with Trump allies Roger Stone and Steve Bannon at odds over who will have a presence at the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas. Stone has reportedly launched ad campaigns tying Bannon to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in an effort to keep him away from the event, reflecting deeper tensions within the pro-Trump faction.

Why it matters

The MAGA civil war highlights the ongoing divisions and power struggles within the conservative movement, as figures like Stone and Bannon compete for influence. The Epstein connection also continues to haunt the MAGA world, with the late sex offender's "sprawling web" ensnaring various high-profile Trump allies.

The details

According to a report from The Daily Beast, Stone has launched a bid to keep Bannon away from CPAC by running ad campaigns tying him to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Neither Bannon nor CPAC have commented on the pushback. The infighting could also cause issues for CPAC's scandal-plagued leader, Matt Schlapp, as he decides which side to support.

  • The Daily Beast report was published on March 17, 2026.
  • CPAC in Dallas is scheduled for March 25, 2026.

The players

Roger Stone

A longtime Trump ally who has launched a campaign to keep Steve Bannon away from CPAC.

Steve Bannon

A former Trump strategist who is embroiled in a power struggle with Roger Stone over CPAC.

Matt Schlapp

The scandal-plagued leader of CPAC who will have to decide which side to support in the infighting.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.