Divisions Emerge at CPAC as Trump's Legacy Debated

Conservative activists clash over the future direction of the Republican Party.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:26pm

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A cinematic painting of an empty podium on a dimly lit stage, with warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political transition and uncertainty.The divisions on display at CPAC suggest the Republican Party remains deeply divided over its future direction.Grapevine Today

At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas, divisions have emerged within the Republican Party as activists debate the legacy of former President Donald Trump and the future direction of the conservative movement.

Why it matters

CPAC has traditionally been a unifying event for the Republican Party, but the gathering this year has highlighted deep ideological rifts as some conservatives seek to move past Trump's influence while others remain fiercely loyal to the former president's populist brand of politics.

The details

Right-wing commentator Brandon Straka, a former Trump supporter, used his CPAC speech to criticize the party's continued embrace of Trump, arguing that the GOP needs to chart a new course. Meanwhile, other speakers doubled down on Trump's false claims of a stolen 2020 election, underscoring the ongoing internal battle for the soul of the Republican Party.

  • CPAC 2026 took place from March 27-30 in Grapevine, Texas.

The players

Brandon Straka

A right-wing commentator and former Trump supporter who has been critical of the Republican Party's continued embrace of the former president.

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What they’re saying

“The Republican Party needs to chart a new course and move past the influence of former President Trump.”

— Brandon Straka, Right-wing commentator

What’s next

The divisions on display at CPAC are likely to continue shaping the Republican Party's direction in the lead-up to the 2028 presidential election, as the party grapples with its identity and the lasting impact of the Trump era.

The takeaway

The fissures within the Republican Party highlighted at CPAC reflect the ongoing struggle over the party's future, with some conservatives seeking to move past Trump's influence while others remain firmly committed to his populist brand of politics.