Bulwark Takes – "CPAC Leaders Claim It’s 'Packed'—The Footage Says Otherwise | MAGA Mondays"

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Date: March 30, 2026
Hosts: Andrew Egger (for Sam Stein), Will Sommer
Guests/Other Voices: Sam Stein (remote/chat contributor), soundbites from Patriot Prayer, Josh Hammer, Brandon Straka

Overview

This episode of "MAGA Mondays" on Bulwark Takes dives into the state of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2026, examining the event's declining influence, infighting within the MAGA and hard-right universe, and the strange online personalities now shaping right-wing discourse. The hosts scrutinize the supposed "packed" nature of CPAC, using attendee perceptions and viral footage to question whether the movement retains energy or relevance. The latter half of the episode examines the saga of Clavicular, a controversial looksmaxing influencer, illustrating the blurred lines between online nihilism and real-world consequences in the broader right-wing subculture.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The "Washed" State of CPAC

• CPAC’s Diminished Relevance:
  • Once the keystone annual gathering for conservatives and the location of important straw polls, CPAC is now described as “washed” and “tired.”
  • The hosts note that rival events (notably Turning Point USA's AmericaFest) have overtaken CPAC both in energy and influence.
  • Multiple references are made to empty rooms and lackluster engagement, undermining CPAC leadership’s claim that the event was “packed.”
• Quote:
  • “CPAC is over, it’s washed, it’s unk. Whatever they say, the Gen Z people say ... this used to be the annual big gathering ... but now I think we’re seeing that CPAC is kind of tired.” – Sam Stein (06:00)
• Infighting and Discontent on the Floor:
  • Even long-time attendees and right-wing influencers are openly criticizing the event as fake, unrepresentative, and full of “lies” (06:10–06:44).

2. The Right-Wing Civil War and Shifting Alliances

• Erosion of Traditional Unity:
  • Tensions between different MAGA factions (pro/anti-Israel, national conservatives vs. podcaster/groyper types, traditionalists vs. isolationists) are escalating.
  • Josh Hammer represents a pro-Israel, national-conservative contingent trying to reclaim what MAGA stands for, but is called out as being out of touch with the youth-driven factions.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Each hard right denizens of podcast reject the fundamental essence, however, of MAGA. ... In fact, they are actually just anti-American.” – Josh Hammer clip (12:24)
• Dwindling Representative Power:
  • CPAC’s claim to representing the “grassroots” is challenged; the event is attended by a narrowing circle of die-hard fans and media personalities rather than a true cross-section of conservatives.
• Noteworthy example:
  • Even provocateurs like Nick Fuentes didn’t feel the need to show up, signaling waning relevance (11:00–11:20).

3. The Influence of Internet Personalities and the Collapse of Meaningful Discourse

• Influencer Drama Replaces Policy Conversation:
  • Discussion on “influencer culture” taking over major right-wing events—where personal brand-building and online beefs overshadow policy.
  • The “leader-worship” identified by Brandon Straka (WalkAway founder) highlights concerns about Trumpism devolving into a one-man personality cult.
• Notable Quote:
  • “If you call yourself a patriot, but you believe that it is your obligation to only praise and only worship your president, then you must not be a patriot of this country, because leader worship is how citizens behave in nations that aren’t free.” – Brandon Straka (17:30)
• Infighting as the Norm:
  • Straka also feuds with Scott Presler (another MAGA influencer); hosts joke about needing a whiteboard to keep track of MAGA feuds (15:33).

4. J.D. Vance, Looksmaxing, and Online-to-Real-World Feedback Loops

• Looksmaxing as Politically Relevant:
  • Viral critiques from far-right streamers and “aesthetic” influencers can shape real-world political behavior (e.g., speculation that J.D. Vance’s weight loss was prompted by a viral looksmaxing streamer's comments, 29:07–30:22).
• Notable Quote:
  • “Did that prompt J.D. Vance to go on a diet and maybe get into some GLP-1s? I don’t know.” – Sam Stein (30:18)
• The Algorithm Flattens the World:
  • Anyone going viral may find their influence reaching the White House, as hosts recount how a Trump policy was sourced from a random podcast caller (30:41–31:03).

5. The Saga of Clavicular: Nihilism, Drugs, and Party Culture on the Hard Right

• Who is Clavicular?
  • Described as a “quasi fascist adjacent” looksmaxing influencer, infamous for his willingness to take drugs and pursue extreme “self-improvement” for online validation.
  • Arrested after a series of bizarre events: a fight involving another influencer, and a viral video firing guns at an alligator in the Everglades (22:22–25:38).
• Psychology of Clavicular:
  • Seen as embodying a dark, nihilistic strand of young, male right-wing culture:
    “It’s very depressing hearing him talk ... you need to smoke meth. That’s a pretty dark image.” – Sam Stein (29:07)
• Why He Matters:
  • Despite seeming apolitical, Clavicular’s aesthetic worldview permeates up to genuine political figures, showing how nihilistic, influencer-driven online culture is now an integral part of conservative discourse.
• Notable Quote:
  • “It is really crazy that ... anybody who goes mega viral, the Vice President’s gonna see it.” – Andrew Egger (30:22)

Memorable Moments and Quotes With Timestamps

• CPAC Declared “Over”:
  • “[After this weekend] Yes, CPAC is over, it’s washed, it’s unk. Whatever they say, the Gen Z people say ...” – Sam Stein (04:41–05:06)
• Patriot Prayer Clip, skepticism about attendance:
  • “They’re not Full. They’re bullshit. This is supposed to be an America first movement. It’s not ... I refuse to stand next to the bullshit. CCPAC is falling.” – Patriot Prayer influencer (06:10–06:44)
• Josh Hammer attacks right-wing podcasts as ‘anti-American’:
  • “Each hard right denizens of podcast reject the fundamental essence, however, of MAGA ... In fact, they are actually just anti-American. Shots fired.” – Josh Hammer (12:24)
• Brandon Straka denounces “leader worship:”
  • “If you call yourself a patriot, but you believe that it is your obligation to only praise and only worship your president, then you must not be a patriot of this country, because leader worship is how citizens behave in nations that aren’t free.” – Brandon Straka (17:30)
• On JD Vance’s transformation:
  • “People have noticed over the past few weeks that J.D. Vance has lost a lot of weight. ... So did that prompt J.D. Vance to go on a diet and maybe get into some GLP-1s? I don't know.” – Sam Stein (29:07–30:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• CPAC — The Declining Event: 02:30–06:44
• Patriot Prayer’s Critique & Empty Rooms: 06:10–06:44
• CPAC, Foreign Flags, & the Shah of Iran: 07:12–08:19
• Media using CPAC as a Barometer: 08:20–10:20
• Right-Wing Infighting (Josh Hammer, roiling podcast wars): 11:38–13:34
• MAGA Personality Cult, Civil War: 15:33–19:54
• Influencer Economy and Policy: 20:12–21:00
• Clavicular’s Saga: 22:22–29:07
• Looksmaxing and Impact on Politicians: 29:07–31:03

Tone and Style

The hosts’ tone is sardonic and sharp, peppered with inside jokes, asides about MAGA infighting, and cultural commentary on the absurd personalities dominating the far-right ecosystem. They navigate between critical analysis of right-wing decline and bemused fascination with the subcultural currents (looksmaxing, influencer beef, nihilism) that now influence actual political outcomes.

Summary Takeaway

This episode paints a picture of a conservative movement in disarray, where institutions like CPAC are in free fall, replaced by a chaotic influencer economy rife with personal drama, empty symbolism, and nihilism. The infighting is not simply backstage drama; these dynamics now color how conservative leaders act, look, and try to gain favor, reflecting how online culture has collapsed the distance between the fringe and the center of right-wing politics.