About this episode
Since Trump’s first appearance at CPAC in 2011, the conference had become an early venue for him to court the base of the Republican Party. Now, the fate of the Schlapp-era CPAC and Donald Trump himself are tied together. The annual event, which began yesterday in National Harbor, has been abandoned by most top GOP elected officials. The annual event, which began yesterday in National Harbor, has been abandoned by most top GOP elected officials. Here’s a breakdown: Senate GOP leadership: None attending. House GOP leadership: Only ELISE STEFANIK is attending. GOP governors: Only Idaho Gov. BRAD LITTLE. GOP presidential candidates, declared and undeclared: Trump, NIKKI HALEY, MIKE POMPEO and VIVEK RAMASWAMY. Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook newsletter Raghu Manavalan is the host and senior editor of POLITICO's Playbook Daily Briefing. Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.