The annual Conservative Action Political Conference (CPAC) is underway and so far this year is proving to be just as strange as last year.
Hundreds of conservatives are gathered in Washington DC to discuss the right-wing political agenda and the future of the Republican Party.
Notable figures like Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nikki Haley, JD Vance, and more are set to make appearances and speeches. And with a larger MAGA presence than ever, there are sure to be some interesting moments.
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Here are some of the strange things that have happened at 2023 CPAC, so far.
Donald Trump Jr channels his inner Willy Wonka
While giving a speech on Friday afternoon, Trump Jr played Willy Wonka for a day and told attendees to check under their seats for a gold chocolate bar.
"If there happens to be a gold chocolate bar underneath there... that's a VIP ticket to my father's reception tomorrow at CPAC."
\u201cDonald Trump Jr. tries to do an Oprah/Wonka combo: \u201cCheck under your seats. If there happens to be a gold chocolate bar underneath there \u2014 no, I\u2019m not joking \u2014 that\u2019s a VIP ticket to my father\u2019s reception tomorrow at CPAC.\u201d\u201d— The Recount (@The Recount) 1677864376
A whole lot of empty seats
Multiple people on social media have indicated that there seem to be fewer attendees than usual.
\u201clots of empty seats at CPAC\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1677856076
\u201cLMAOOOOO there are more empty seats than people turned up to see Don Jr at CPAC. \ud83d\ude06\ud83d\ude06\u201d— BrooklynDad_Defiant!\u262e\ufe0f (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!\u262e\ufe0f) 1677864656
Marjorie Taylor Greene rants about everything
If there is one thing MTG has made very clear about her opinions it's that you will hear them.
The Georgia Representative echoed her beliefs on CPAC's stage on Friday by ranting about several hot-topic issues.
Regarding gender-affirming care and transgender rights, Taylor Greene went on a transphobic rant saying she is introducing a bill that would make it a "felony" for medical professionals to conduct gender-affirming care on children.
\u201cMarjorie Taylor Greene's CPAC speech is pure transphobia\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1677856076
Having been outspoken about not sending support to Ukraine, Taylor Greene told CPAC attendees [Ukraine] needs to fine peace, not war" and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky needs to "leave your hands off our sons and daughters because they're not dying over there."
\u201cBig CPAC applause for this from Marjorie Taylor Greene: "No money to Ukraine, and that country needs to find peace not war. And while I will look at a camera and directly tell Zelenskyy you better leave your hands off our sons and daughters, because they're not dying over there"\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1677856076
She also managed to generate some "boos" for Zelensky from the crowd.
\u201cMarjorie Taylor Greene quickly goads her CPAC audience into booing Zelenskyy\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1677856076
Nikki Haley is met with a not-so-warm welcome
Videos shared on Twitter show CPAC crowds welcoming 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley by chanting “Trump” and "we love Trump" at her.
\u201cNikki Haley is getting a very warm welcome from CPAC.\n\nOh wait\u2026 they\u2019re yelling Trump at her \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Ada Lluch \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8 (@Ada Lluch \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8) 1677868547
Donald Trump Jr attacks John Fetterman
The eldest Trump son took aim at the Pennsylvania Senator who suffered a near-fatal stroke last year. Fetterman has used audio-to-text technology to help him process speech while recovering from the stroke.
Trump Jr called Fetterman a "vegetable" who could be "a bag guy at a grocery store" diminishing his ability to serve as a Senator.
\u201cBREAKING: At CPAC, Donald Trump Jr. just disgustingly attacked disabled people, just like his father did. \n\nHere is the direct quote from Don Jr.:\n\u201cPennsylvania managed to elect a vegetable. I\u2019d love for John Fetterman to have good gainful employment. Maybe he could be like a\u2026\u201d— Ed Krassenstein (@Ed Krassenstein) 1677864039
Mike Lindell calls Ron DeSantis a "trojan horse"
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was caught ragging against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis calling him a "trojan horse" that the media was "covering up for."
DeSantis is rumored to be gearing up to announce his presidential run in 2024.
Instead, Lindell issued his verbal support for Donald Trump.
\u201cMike Lindell rages against Desantis and Fox at CPAC, calling him a \u201cTrojan horse\u201d and a \u201cglobalist.\u201d\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1677848445
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