For decades, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference was the main gathering for right-wing activists. Attendees compared notes, attended panels, and heard speeches from politicians and thinkers.
CPAC was known for its mix of entertainment and serious discussion. Panels were lively, sometimes snarky, but offered opportunities to explore conservative ideas deeply.
In recent years, CPAC is no longer the only major event for conservatives. Other conferences now draw distinct groups with differing priorities and styles.
Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, attracts younger, activist-driven conservatives. Its events are designed to entertain and energize the crowd, rather than debate policy in depth.
The National Conservatism Conference, or NatCon, held last week in Washington, D.C., caters to more traditional, ideologically driven conservatives. Its speakers outlined a vision for a more intensely conservative America.
“Overturn Obergefell” was one panel highlighted by AP reporter Joey Cappelletti. Another panel focused on “The Bible and American Renewal,” emphasizing a Christian vision for the country.
Cappelletti wrote that NatCon promoted an America with strict immigration limits, Christian identity, and a defense of traditional culture. Liberty and free markets were notably absent from discussions.
Among attendees were prominent figures linked to former President Trump’s policies. They included Tulsi Gabbard, Russell Vought, Tom Homan, and John Eastman, who supported a radical post-2020 election strategy.
Russell Vought, OMB director and lead author of Project 2025, criticized the Government Accountability Office. He said the GAO “shouldn’t exist” after rejecting his attempt to reclaim already approved funds.
Vought argued that if Congress grants authority too broadly, officials can use it aggressively to “protect the American people.” His remarks reflected the paternalistic, forceful rhetoric present throughout NatCon. Some MAGA supporters even call Trump “Daddy” in reference to similar paternalistic themes.
Some attendees describe this approach as a break from procedural conservatism. Andrew Egger of The Bulwark wrote that NatCon’s coalition rejects restraint and focuses on seizing federal power rather than limiting it.
The conference included a speech by Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt titled “What is an American?” He claimed America belongs to descendants of white European settlers.
Schmitt praised the so-called Christian pilgrims for building civilization from wilderness. He omitted discussion of the enslaved Africans and their descendants in early American history.
He stated that America does not belong to Native Americans or African Americans, framing the country as the inheritance of white Europeans only. His speech drew attention online.
Schmitt echoed Great Replacement Theory, a belief that immigrants threaten the nation’s original white population. Supporters of this idea include Stephen Miller and Tucker Carlson.
Historians counter that America was built on principles, not race. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address emphasized equality and the nation as “conceived in Liberty.”
John Ganz, writing in Unpopular Front, noted Schmitt’s speech reflects 30-year-old paleoconservative ideas from Samuel T. Francis. Francis promoted a nationalist myth to mobilize Americans under a new regime.
Ganz argued that creating myths of past glories to justify new power aligns with strategies of fascism. He suggested NatCon’s vision is rooted in this approach.
Observers warn that while the rhetoric seems extreme, these figures now hold real political influence. Donald Trump’s actions, including his assault on the Smithsonian, echo the conference’s ethos of acting decisively with power.
Project 2025 and other initiatives show how quickly conservative movements can reshape government operations. Past inattention to such plans has already had significant consequences.
Political analysts say ignoring NatCon’s influence could be a mistake. The combination of ideology, power, and strategy signals a shift in the conservative movement that could affect national policies.
The rise of competing conservative conferences reflects both division and specialization within the movement. Activist-focused events and serious ideological conferences now coexist, shaping different parts of the right.
Observers note that this split could redefine Republican priorities for years. Traditional focus on individual freedom and small government is increasingly replaced by identity, culture, and centralized authority.
Experts emphasize that voters and lawmakers should watch these developments closely. The ideas debated at NatCon could translate into policy changes and legal battles nationwide.
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In sum, the National Conservatism Conference represents a new direction for some conservatives. Its attendees prioritize heritage, Christian identity, and broad federal authority over liberty-focused conservatism.
NatCon shows that while the conservative movement still values power, its methods and goals are shifting. This shift could reshape American politics in the near future, according to salon.
