NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—President Trump took a victory lap at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this week after his resounding general election victory in November.

The annual event featured an array of Trump’s most vocal supporters, including Vice President Vance, border czar Tom Homan and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

While the mood among speakers and attendees was celebratory, this year’s gathering appeared somewhat diminished in terms of its overall importance on the national level.

Here are five takeaways from CPAC 2025:

CPAC goes full MAGA

Prior to Trump’s foray into politics, CPAC was seen as a big tent gathering for conservatives of all stripes. The annual event was an opportunity for various kinds of conservatives and Republicans to tout their visions in front of the grassroots.

Additionally, the gathering was an opportunity for emerging Republican talent to introduce themselves to the grassroots.

But in the Trump era, he is the clear star of CPAC. There is virtually no room for criticism of the president among the staunchly pro-Trump crowd. Most speakers, American and foreign, made a point of heaping praise on the president and his conservative populist agenda.

Underscoring that fact was the........

© The Hill