National Harbor, Md – Conservatives from around the country gathered to hear speeches and participate in a presidential straw poll at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord Hotel in Maryland.
Trumpism loomed large at the conference, with Former President Donald Trump winning 62% of the straw poll vote. He was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is yet to announce his candidacy, at 20%, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who came in at 3%.
Trump spoke to the enthusiastic crowd for one-hour and 45-minutes, repeating familiar talking points, falsehoods and dire consequences for the nation if he is not elected.
“Either they win or we win. And if they win, we no longer have a country,” Trump said. “They’re not coming after me; they’re coming after you, and I’m just standing in their way… This is the final battle.”
Former democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard denounces “liberal wokeness” (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Kari Lake delivers the keynote address at the CPAC Ronald Reagan dinner (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) greets the crowd (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Attendees gather outside of the main ballroom between speeches (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Embattled CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp on stage (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Former President Donald Trump gives his one-hour and 45-minutes speech (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Donald Trump Jr. speaks to an enthusiastic crowd (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Kari Lake delivers the keynote address at the Ronald Reagan dinner (Brennan Leach / MNS)
A gold Donald Trump statue in the CPAC open table room (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo) appears on Real America’s Voice on media row (Brennan Leach, MNS)
An attendee films former President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley receives scattered boos while speaking (Brennan Leach, MNS)
Attendee dressed as former President Donald Trump (Brennan Leach / MNS)
Former President Donald Trump enters the stage (Brennan Leach / MNS)
