Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 26: US President Donald Trump will miss the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the first time in nearly a decade, a White House official confirmed on Wednesday.
Trump, a regular and high-profile speaker at CPAC since 2016, is skipping this year’s event due to a packed schedule linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, the official said.
The conference, being held near Dallas from Wednesday to Saturday, had earlier listed Trump as the keynote speaker for the final day.
Despite his absence, the president is scheduled to address the FII Priority Summit in Miami on Friday, according to organisers.
The CPAC gathering is expected to see top Republican leaders rally support ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine whether Trump’s party retains control of Congress for the remainder of his term.
This year’s event also carries a geopolitical dimension, with speakers including exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has positioned himself as a potential interim leader in Iran.
Also attending is Polish President Karol Nawrocki, reflecting the broader international participation at the conference.