CPAC US 2026 Features Tom Homan, Todd Blanche, and Nick Shirley on Day 2

Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) USA, the largest conservative political action network in the United States, holds its 2026 convention March 25–28 in Dallas.

Agenda (Day 2):

• 10-10:10 a.m. CT Opening Ceremony — Prayer, Pledge and National Anthem

Participants:

Pastor Joshua Navarrete, Arizona Faith Director, Bienvenido Faith Assembly—Prayer

Bruce Duty, Cross Country 3—Pledge of Allegiance

Natasha Owens, American Christian Musician—National Anthem

Session Summary: Opening the summit with a patriotic and faith-centered ceremony.

• 10:10-10:25 a.m. CT CPAC Kickoff

Speakers:

The Honorable Matt Schlapp, Chairman, CPAC

The Honorable Mercedes Schlapp, Senior Fellow, CPAC

Session Summary: Setting the tone, priorities, and vision for the conference and conservative movement.

• 10:25–10:45 a.m. CT Speaker: Rev. Franklin Graham, President & CEO, Samaritan’s Purse

Session Summary: Addressing global Christian persecution and the role of faith in confronting it.

• 10:45–11 a.m. CT Fireside Chat — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

Participants:

The Honorable Matt Schlapp, Chairman, CPAC — Moderator

Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General of the United States

Session Summary: A discussion on the Department of Justice’s role in upholding law, order, and accountability.

• 11–11:20 a.m. CT Panel — Mullah MAGA Madness

Speakers:

The Honorable Mercedes Schlapp, Senior Fellow, CPAC

Dr. Hiva Wallace, Executive Director, PaykanArtCar; Advisor, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI)

Mersedeh Shahinkar, Iranian Regime Victim

Raheleh Amiri, Iranian Regime Victim

Session Summary: Exposing the Iranian regime and amplifying the voices of those impacted by it.

• 11:20–11:40 a.m. CT Gotion: The American David vs. Goliath Story

Speakers:

Gordon Chang, CPAC Board Member

Jeanne Ives, CEO and Founder, Breakthrough Ideas

Lori Brock, No Gotion Michigan Activist

Jillian Rojas, No Gotion Illinois Activist

Session Summary: A case study in grassroots resistance to foreign-backed development and local community advocacy.

• 11:40 – 11:50 a.m. CT Speaker: Sen. Mayes Middleton, Texas State Senator

Session Summary: Advancing conservative leadership and legal reform in Texas.

• 11:50 – 11:55 a.m. CT Speaker: John Coale, U.S. Special Envoy to Belarus

Session Summary: Insights on international policy and diplomatic strategy.

• 11:55 a.m.–12 p.m. CT Speaker: Dean Cain, Actor and Commentator

Session Summary: Cultural commentary and reflections on American values.

• 12–12:20 p.m. CT Panel — Republicans Heading into the Midterms

Speakers:

Jim McLaughlin, CPAC Board Member

The Honorable Matt Schlapp, Chairman, CPAC

Michael Whatley, Candidate for U.S. Senate (North Carolina)

Session Summary: Strategy, messaging, and momentum heading into upcoming elections.

• 12:20–12:40 p.m. CT Speaker: Benny Johnson, Host, The Benny Show

Session Summary: The growing influence of digital media in shaping conservative narratives.

• 12:40–1:10 p.m. CT Panel — The Show Must Go On

Speakers:

The Honorable Matt Schlapp, Chairman, CPAC

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Stephanie Carlton, Chief of Staff and Deputy Administrator, CMS

Chris Klomp, Director of Medicare and Deputy Administrator, CMS

Session Summary: Sustaining leadership and continuity in healthcare policy and administration.

• 1:10–1:30 p.m. CT Panel — CPAC Yellowstone

Speakers:

Fanchon Stinger, National TV Host and Founder, Grit & Grace Nation

Dr. Brooke Miller, CPAC Board Member

AJ Richards, CEO and Founder, From the Farm

Clare Dunn, Country Music Artist and Host, The Real Rural

Session Summary: Protecting agricultural independence, rural communities, and American land stewardship.

• 1:30–1:50 p.m. CT Panel — It’s the Family, Stupid

Speakers:

The Honorable Mercedes Schlapp, Senior Fellow, CPAC

Penny Nance, CEO, Concerned Women for America

Isabel Brown, Host, The Isabel Brown Show

Anne Dunn, House Mother, St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Maternity Home

Session Summary: Advancing pro-family and pro-life values while defending human dignity.

• 1:50–2:10 p.m. CT Walls Work — Fireside Chat with Tom Homan

Participants:

The Honorable Mercedes Schlapp, Senior Fellow, CPAC—Moderator

The Honorable Tom Homan, Border Czar

Session Summary: Securing the southern border and addressing illegal immigration challenges.

• 2:10–2:30 p.m. CT Panel — Show Me the Money

Speakers:

John Fredericks, Host, The John Fredericks Show

Glenn Story, CEO, Patriot Mobile

Alexander Spellane, CEO, Fisher Capital Group

Frank Chapman, Wyoming Rancher

Session Summary: Funding strategies and financial infrastructure supporting conservative growth.

• 2:30–2:50 p.m. CT Panel — Canceling Satan

Speakers:

Todd Starnes, Host, The Todd Starnes Radio Show

Jack Posobiec, Host, Human Events Daily

Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Great American Media

Pastor Mark Burns, Founder, The NOW Television Network

Session Summary: Exploring the spiritual and cultural forces shaping America’s future.

• 2:50–3:10 p.m. CT Panel — The Future of Europe

Speakers:

Chris Salcedo, Broadcaster

Liz Truss, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Antonio Giordano, Secretary General, ECR Party

Mateusz Morawiecki, Former Prime Minister of Poland

Session Summary: The future of European conservatism and transatlantic alliances.

• 3:10–3:30 p.m. CT Panel — Fraud and Corruption in Sanctuary Cities

Speakers:

Kurt Schlichter, Senior Columnist, Townhall.com

Nick Shirley, Independent Reporter

The Honorable Jackson Purfeerst, Mayor of Crosslake, Minnesota

Session Summary: Investigating policy failures and corruption in sanctuary jurisdictions.

• 3:30–3:50 p.m. CT Panel — Fentanyl’s Deadly Assault on American Families

Speakers:

Alex Swoyer, Editor at Large, The Washington Times

The Honorable Sara Carter, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Anne Fundner, Angel Mom and Advocate

Jackie Siegel, Advocate and Public Figure

Session Summary: Combating the fentanyl crisis and protecting American families.

• 3:50 – 4:10 p.m. CT Panel — Weaponization of Justice

Speakers:

Ben Ferguson, Host, The Ben Ferguson Show

Mike Davis, Founder and President, Article III Project

John Coale, U.S. Special Envoy to Belarus

Session Summary: Addressing political bias and restoring trust in the justice system.

• 4:10–4:17 p.m. CT Speech — Matt Gaetz

Speaker: Matt Gaetz, Host, The Matt Gaetz Show

Session Summary: Remarks on current political dynamics and conservative priorities.

• 4:17–4:37 p.m. CT Panel — Restoring Excellence in Education Across America

Speakers:

Corey DeAngelis, School Choice Advocate

Erika Donalds, CEO, Education Freedom Foundation

Frank Murphy, Chair, Athletes for America Coalition

Greta Alexander, ACE Scholarship Parent

Session Summary: Reforming education through choice, accountability, and excellence.

• 4:37–4:45 p.m. CT Speech — Josh Hammer

Speaker: Josh Hammer, Host, The Josh Hammer Show

Session Summary: Legal and cultural perspectives on the future of conservatism.

• 4:45–5:05 p.m. CT Panel — The Dominators

Speakers:

Tiana Lowe Doescher, Political Commentator, Washington Examiner

Ambassador Mark Wallace, CEO, United Against Nuclear Iran

The Honorable John Vonglis, Executive Director, NANO Nuclear Energy

Karen Herbst, Partner, Providence Energy

Session Summary: Energy, national security, and strategic competition in a changing world.

• 5:05–5:25 p.m. CT Panel — How Conservatives Beat the Legacy Press

Speakers:

Larry O’Connor, Radio Host and Commentator

Xaviaer DuRousseau, Political Commentator

ALX, Digital Media Commentator

Session Summary: Building alternative media ecosystems and countering legacy press narratives.

• 5:25–5:40 p.m. CT Speaker: Nick Shirley, Independent Journalist

Session Summary: On-the-ground reporting and independent media perspectives.