Conservatism's Biggest Conference Was Missing Its Star

保守派最大会议缺席其明星人物

What A Day

2026-03-31

22 分钟
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Over the past decade or so, the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, has become a massive gathering of right-wing power brokers — but this year, President Trump didn’t go. Neither did Vice President JD Vance nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The lackluster convention seemed to mirror a MAGA movement that’s looking increasingly unmoored. Ben Jacobs is a Washington-based political reporter who has been going to CPAC for years. We talked about his trip to the 2026 convention and what made this year so different from the others. And in headlines, Trump makes yet another threat against Iran, Transportation Security Administration workers start receiving some backpay, and TMZ is giving members of Congress the tabloid treatment. Show Notes: Check out Ben's reporting – slate.com/author/ben-jacobs Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday
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  • It's Tuesday, March 31st.

  • I'm Jane Koston, and this is What A Day.

  • The show that learned a group of January 6th insurrectionists are suing the federal government for what Politico

  • describes as, quote, physical and emotional injuries.

  • The insurrectionists are asking for more than $18 million.

  • And you know what?

  • With Trump in office, they just might get it.

  • On today's show, good news.

  • Transportation Security Administration workers started receiving some back pay for all of their hard work.

  • And TMZ is giving members of Congress the tabloid treatment.

  • Lindsey Graham is the new Lindsey Lohan.

  • But let's start with the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC.

  • Over the past decade or so, CPAC has become a massive gathering of right-wing power brokers.

  • Everyone who wanted to be a big deal in GOP politics needed to make an appearance,

  • which may be why you saw Elon Musk waving a chainsaw at last year's conference,

  • or President Donald Trump at every single CPAC for a decade.

  • But Trump didn't go this year.

  • Actually, no Trumps were at this year's CPAC.

  • Not even Tiffany.

  • Neither were Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.