There were disagreements over his war with Iran, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election. It was a contrast with last year’s gathering, when conservatives were riding high after Trump’s return to office and Elon Musk waved a chainsaw to symbolize his new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
The conservative movement was not on the same page about the war with Iran. While there was little criticism of Trump, some warned against deepening the conflict. Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, said that “the decision in going forward is obviously the commander in chief’s,” but he suggested that the American people still need to be convinced. “You have to be convinced that this is the right thing to do, particularly now that we’re on the eve of potentially the insertion of American combat troops,” he said. “Your sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons could be on Kharg Island or holding a beachhead down by the Strait of Hormuz.”
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