It was a familiar sentiment at the annual gathering of thousands of conservatives here in central Florida. As excited as the crowds were about GOP headliners like Pompeo, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), the enthusiasm was qualified — all bets are off if Donald Trump decides to run again.
Back in Washington, the GOP might be at odds about whether or not the party’s future should prominently feature the ex-president. And within Trump world, there’s been some angst about his current standing. There were fears he might not play as well with the CPAC crowd after being out of office, especially at a conference held in the backyard of another 2024 frontrunner: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. But among the activists at CPAC, it turns out, diehard conservatives remain more excited about the prospect of a Trump reelection than anything else.
Trump flags hung from right-wing media booths where the former president’s allies and former White House officials talked about “America First” policy, raged against culture war issues and railed on the Biden administration. Attendees sported “Trump was Right” buttons, and bedazzled MAGA hats were seen at every turn. Supporters clamored for the chance to attend a free VIP reception with Trump, and a buffet of his favorite McDonalds fast food.
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