GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Conservatives are holding one of their largest annual gatherings at a perilous political moment for President Donald Trump and with open division on the right over the war he launched in Iran.
While Trump maintains broad support among conservatives, the war in Iran is more than a wrinkle for activists drawn to his “America First” campaign pledge against getting involved in foreign conflicts. The debate will be a subtext — and likely flare publicly — as thousands of activists, influencers and Republican lawmakers gather at the Conservative Political Action Conference that begins Wednesday outside Dallas.
The gathering will be a contrast to the celebratory meeting one year ago where Trump, newly returned to office, vowed to “forge a new and lasting political majority” and Elon Musk wielded a chainsaw to symbolize how the administration was slashing the government workforce and red tape.
This year, neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance has been publicly announced as speaking to the gathering. But among those who are slated to speak are big names in the MAGA movement who have voiced conflicting views on the Iran war.
"This is obviously going to be a hot topic,” said John Gizzi, a CPAC veteran and columnist for the conservative media outlet Newsmax, who noted the possibility of greater U.S. involvement over an uncertain length of time.
Among the featured speakers scheduled at the four-day event is longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon. Bannon said during his War Room podcast this month that should the war become “a hard slog," it could cost the GOP conservative voters ahead of the midterms.
“We are going to bleed support,” Bannon said.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who supports the war, also is on the agenda at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.
“I think President Trump was exactly right to act to protect Americans,” Cruz said last week in a CBS News interview.
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s scheduled speaking slot is a reminder of the disagreement among some conservatives about the U.S. military alliance with Israel against Iran.
Gaetz, host of a show on the conservative One America News Network, has said the U.S. has been too cozy with Israel as popular conservative personalities such as Tucker Carlson have challenged conservatives’ longtime bond with the country, prompting criticism from GOP groups, including pro-Israel Republicans, of antisemitism.
Others scheduled to speak include Trump border czar Tom Homan and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
A year after Trump presided over the group's jubilant conference upon his return to office, he is in a much different place.
At war while worries about jobs and household costs linger, his approval is down. His signature domestic policy, aimed at tightening voting rules ahead of November's midterm elections, has stalled in a Congress his party controls, while the House Republican majority is in jeopardy and the party's hold on the Senate is less certain than a year ago.
Despite the dividing lines, Trump enjoys enduring approval from his party’s right flank. Eighty-six percent of conservatives said they approved of the president’s job performance in a February AP-NORC poll.
And while Trump's supporters remain devoted, some within the most conservative circles say division over Iran could signal trouble for Republicans in November.
Texas Rep. Steve Toth, who plans to attend CPAC, suggested Trump’s support remains robust among conservatives, but that Republican messaging on the war could be stronger.
“From MAGA people, for the most part, I don’t hear frustration with the president,” said Toth, who beat incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw in Texas’ March 3 primary. “I don’t know that we’re doing a great job at communicating the full ramifications.”
Another stark reminder of the contrast with last year is Texas's unresolved Senate primary, a particular political headache for Trump.
Texas Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton, who is challenging four-term GOP Sen. John Cornyn, not only is attending the event, but has one of the event's premier speaking roles, the Ronald Reagan Dinner on Friday evening. Cornyn is not attending the Texas conference.
Trump said three weeks ago he would soon endorse one of them after Paxton finished narrowly behind Cornyn in the March 3 primary, though neither received a majority to avoid a May 26 runoff.
Trump implored whoever didn't get the endorsement to drop out, writing in a social media post that the bitter contest “cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer.”
The deadline for candidates to remove their names from the May 26 runoff ballot passed last week, as Paxton and Cornyn were launching stepped-up attack ads targeting one another.
Catalini reported from Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Associated Press writer Amelia Thomson DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., after attending the casualty return at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for the six crew members of an Air Force refueling aircraft who died when their plane crashed in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 25, 2026--
e.l.f. Cosmetics, a brand from e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF), the bold disruptor with a kind heart, announces a new year-long partnership with Flau’jae Johnson, basketball star, musical artist and founder of More to 4 Foundation. Johnson joins e.l.f.’s growing group of empowered.legendary.females. – Billie Jean King, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Katherine Legge, Ally Sentnor, Jaedyn Shaw, Jess Carter and Lo’eau LaBonta – for their shared commitment to positivity, inclusivity and accessibility.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324219243/en/
A standout women's college basketball guard, currently headed into the second weekend of the 2026 women’s college basketball tournament, Johnson is one of the nation’s most exciting players with her performance earning her:
From humble beginnings to stardom on the court and creative expression in the studio, she channels her platform to defy the e.l.f.ing limits, rocket above the status quo and empower others to do the same.
“I don’t take any moment for granted,” Johnson said. “Everything is big for me - every play, every lyric, every opportunity to make a difference. e.l.f. gives me a platform to show up fully, honor my journey and encourage others to do the same. I’m ready to take on this next chapter to the fullest.”
88% of women sports fans regard pro women athletes as impactful role models for young women.* By championing multi-dimensional athletes like Johnson who transcend their sport, e.l.f. is at the heart of culture, delivering for its community.
“Flau’jae is a force of inspiration,” said Patrick O'Keefe, Chief Integrated Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty. “Every arena she enters, whether it’s basketball, music or philanthropy, she leads with courage, intention and generosity of spirit. Partnering with her means elevating her influence, helping a generation of young women imagine no limits, move fearlessly and show up as their fullest selves. Her leadership reminds us at e.l.f. that true impact is about lifting others as you rise.”
This partnership spotlights Johnson’s commitment to empowerment, mentorship and community impact. Her first project with e.l.f. is the new episode of e.l.f. ’s award-winning, purpose-driven series, ‘Show Yourse.l.f.’. With over 7 million video views, this series celebrates determination and the journeys that shape the best and the brightest who are making the world a better place for every eye, lip and face. Johnson’s episode, featuring her original music, is available to watch here.
Previous ‘Show Yourse.l.f.’ episodes have celebrated trailblazers like professional soccer player Jess Carter, astronaut and activist Amanda Nguyen, champion paralympic athlete Anastasia Pagonis, performance artist Viktoria Modesta and artist Chella Man, all exemplifying e.l.f.’s commitment to democratize access to beauty, to sports and to dreams.
To celebrate Flau’jae’s commitment to the community, e.l.f. will make a $75,000 donation to More to 4 Foundation, Johnson’s nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through family support, education, arts, and sports and wellness - creating pathways for stability, self-expression, and opportunity. Inspired by Johnson’s own story, the foundation empowers families, single mothers and young people with programs designed to break barriers and help participants pursue their dreams.
Through this collaboration, e.l.f. and Flau'jae Johnson are building a movement where every young woman can see herself as empowered, legendary and limitless.
*From Moment to Mainstream: What International Consumers Really Think About Women's Sports, Parity Now, May 2024
About e.l.f. Cosmetics
e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) is fueled by a belief that anything is e.l.f.ing possible. We are a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. e.l.f. Cosmetics, our global flagship brand, makes the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip and face by bringing together the best of beauty, culture and entertainment. Our superpower is delivering universally appealing, premium quality products at accessible prices that are e.l.f. clean and vegan, all double-certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA as cruelty free. We are proud to have products made in Fair Trade Certified™ facilities. Learn more at www.elfcosmetics.com.
Flau'jae Johnson, basketball star, musical artist and founder of More to 4 Foundation, joins e.l.f.’s growing group of empowered.legendary.females. to defy expectations, ignite change and empower self-expression.
Flau'jae Johnson, basketball star, musical artist and founder of More to 4 Foundation, joins e.l.f.’s growing group of empowered.legendary.females. to defy expectations, ignite change and empower self-expression.
Flau'jae Johnson, basketball star, musical artist and founder of More to 4 Foundation, joins e.l.f.’s growing group of empowered.legendary.females. to defy expectations, ignite change and empower self-expression.
Flau'jae Johnson, basketball star, musical artist and founder of More to 4 Foundation, joins e.l.f.’s growing group of empowered.legendary.females. to defy expectations, ignite change and empower self-expression.
Flau'jae Johnson, basketball star, musical artist and founder of More to 4 Foundation, joins e.l.f.’s growing group of empowered.legendary.females. to defy expectations, ignite change and empower self-expression.
