Matt Schlapp Says; CPAC Proves Trump Will Point Conservative Movement Until He 'Takes His Last Breath

The Conservative Political Action Conference In Dallas

They reiterated former President Trump's place atop the conservative movement over the weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas. The event's organizers believe it will stay that way until he takes his last breath.

Trump convincingly won the 2024 GOP presidential nomination straw poll taken at CPAC, and the former president also prevailed when Fox News Digital asked attendees in the hallways of the event.

Trump Supporters

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came in second on the 2024 presidential nomination question, at 24%, and is widely considered the clear next-in-line among many die-hard Trump supporters. Others prefer DeSantis these days.

American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp, who didn't want to vote in a primary so far away from the 2024 election when asked who he prefers, believes many conservatives treat Trump like an incumbent president, and his popularity is unrivaled.

He comes into this race as the incumbent, so in most situations when you're the incumbent, you're going to have the lion's share of support of everyone, Schlapp told Fox News Digital backstage at CPAC Texas.

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Bond Between The Conservative Movement And Donald Trump

There is this other piece that Donald Trump shares uniquely in American politics on the conservative side, and that is because he was so authentic about what he said he would do and then what they did; this bond formed between the conservative movement and Donald Trump where he didn't just say he was going to move the embassy, he moved it, Schlapp continued.

The Next Generation Of Clarence Thomas

He didn't just say he would pick the next generation of Clarence Thomas; he picked three of them. He just went down the line and did what he said he would do.

Many CPAC attendees wore Trump merchandise, and the event's vendors offered about anything a MAGA enthusiast could hope for.

Support From Favorite Republican With a Large Variety Of Choices

There were occasional Make America Florida hats and shirts in honor of DeSantis. It was a far cry from the years-ago CPAC events when attendees wore gear to support their favorite Republican with a large variety of choices. These days it's almost all about Trump.

Schlapp cited the border and willingness for taking on China and the economy as other key reasons conservatives still largely adore Trump. In addition, Schlapp also believes that minority voters will support Trump if he decides to run again because their bank accounts are suffering under President Biden.

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The Republican Party

He rekindled this idea that the Republican Party is the place of opportunity for people of color, and because of that, it's an unshakable bond, he said. How many CPACs in a row where straw polls demonstrate that? But it's almost like people are confused. They ask, Is he the leader in support of these folks? It's like, yes! And he thinks he will be until he takes his last breath because of everything he did.

Trump, who's repeatedly teased making another presidential run in 2024 to try and return to the White House, captured 69% of ballots in the anonymous online straw poll, according to results announced by CPAC on Saturday.

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White House – Senior Communications Director

Mercedes Schlapp, Matt's wife, who played a key role at CPAC and served as White House, senior communications director, added that she believes most Republican presidential hopefuls are waiting to see what Trump decides.

Even DeSantis, they're watching to see what Donald Trump will do; she said that is a very important factor to consider.

General Election Defeat President Biden

While the Schlapps believe Trump is the leader of the modern conservative movement, they don't think the bar is particularly high regarding what it would take to defeat President Biden in a general election.

The media told us Joe Biden was up to the job, and they were clearly covering for him. He doesn't do the job, and now he assumes he will be the nominee.

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The Democratic Party Doesn't Have Deep Bench.

He thinks the chances of Joe Biden being alive, or even being able to do anything to kind of act like he's the president, are almost zero, Matt Schlapp said, noting that the Democratic Party doesn't exactly have a deep bench.

Then their real question is, do they pick Kamala Harris, who has poll numbers more toxic than cancer, or do they get Nancy Pelosi, which I don't think is going to work out so well, he continued. They are vacant of a lot of talent, so excuse me, I'll probably be a little optimistic on our chances in 2024.

Many Prominent Democrats Committed To Biden

Mercedes joked that her husband isn't always an optimistic guy. Still, the fact that the Democrats don't have a deep bench offers a clear reason to be hopeful, as many prominent Democrats haven't committed to supporting Biden in 2024.

She thinks it shows a massive divide within the Democratic Party, Mercedes said. She thinks the Republican Party is probably even more united right now than it's ever been because the goal is to defeat Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, knowing there is an urgency right now to save this country.