Trump headlines CPAC, as Sanders forges ahead in Democratic primary

With self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders continuing to rise in the Democratic primary, President Trump will headline this week’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference, where nearly a dozen panels explicitly place socialism in the crosshairs.

The ideological clash is emblematic of a nationwide struggle within the Democratic Party and the country broadly. 

CPAC panels include “Socialism: Wrecker of Nations and Destroyer of Societies;” “Prescription for Failure: The Ills of Socialized Medicine;” “Stopping Socialism: Exposing and Defeating the Socialist Plot to Hijack America;” “Words that Work in Persuading Others: Socialism;” and “Socialism & The Great Awokening.” 

The 2020 CPAC speaker lineup includes Vice President Mike Pence, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and former U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley –- all outspoken critics of socialism.

Trump, also a vocal opponent of socialism, is scheduled to speak at CPAC on Saturday afternoon.

“Here, in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country,” Trump said in his State Of The Union Address last year. “America was founded on liberty and independence –- not government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free, and we will stay free. Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country.”

The president is scheduled to speak the same day that Sanders competes in the South Carolina Democratic primary.

Polls indicate Sanders is gaining momentum against primary rival Joe Biden, who had previously described South Carolina as his “firewall” to ensure himself the nomination. 

Sanders has fielded fire from rival campaigns that argue that Americans voting in a general election couldn't support socialism. Should Sanders win the general and congressional control remains the same after November, his path to implement his policies would be difficult given a divided Congress.

The Sanders campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

First launched in 1974, CPAC reported 19,000 attendees last year. The group also reports 60 percent of attendees are first-time goers, including half being college age or younger.

First launched in 1974, CPAC reported 19,000 attendees last year. CPAC also reports 60 percent of attendees are first-time goers, including half being college age or younger.

"The conference is a testament and tribute to the conservative movement," Ron Christie, secretary of the American Conservative Union, told Just the News. "I've been excited to see more and more young people attend –- people who are in their 20s and 30s who are the true grassroots activists that will carry the torch of liberty and freedom ahead for generations to come."