The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode: How young CPAC-goers feel about the war in Iran
Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores reactions among young conservatives at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) to the ongoing U.S. war in Iran—a defining issue for the GOP and Trump’s White House. The conversation also covers former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s legacy following his recent death, Trump’s conspicuous absence from CPAC, party divisions about Iran, and shifting dynamics among the Republican base, especially younger voters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remembering Robert Mueller (00:43–09:01)

• Mueller’s Law Enforcement Legacy
  Carrie Johnson highlights Mueller’s decades-long service:

  • U.S. attorney, DOJ criminal division chief, and longest-serving FBI director since Hoover.
  • He transformed the FBI post-9/11 to focus on counter-terrorism and intelligence.
  • Served under both President George W. Bush and President Obama.
  • Was unanimously extended by Congress for two years at Obama’s request.

• Special Counsel and Russia Investigation
  Tamara Keith recalls the high tension during the Russia probe:

  • Jeff Sessions’ recusal led to Mueller’s independent appointment.
  • Elevated the investigation’s gravity; Republicans and Democrats respected Mueller’s integrity.
  • Mueller’s probe led to 37 indictments, including Trump associates (Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn).
  • Found sweeping Russian election interference, several campaign-Russia contacts but insufficient evidence for a criminal conspiracy.

• Trump’s Reaction and Mueller’s Enduring Shadow

  • Trump’s response to Mueller’s death:
    “Robert Mueller just died. Good. I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people. Exclamation point.” (Trump on Truth Social, 04:29)
  • Mueller left unresolved whether Trump committed obstruction, citing DOJ policy against indicting a sitting president.
    Carrie Johnson:
    “If we could have exonerated Trump, we would have, and I’m not doing that.” (06:32)
  • Ongoing influence: Trump continues to attack figures from the investigation and pressures DOJ to pursue perceived enemies.

2. CPAC 2026: A Young Conservative Temperature Check (10:26–22:06)

• CPAC’s Vibe in 2026

  • Elena Moore describes CPAC’s evolution:
    “Comic Con, but for MAGA.” (Tamara Keith, 11:27)
  • Trump is not physically present—first time in a decade (11:31).
    Instead, the event is saturated with Trump iconography and video tributes.

• Notable Absentees and Shifting Headliners

  • Traditional MAGA media celebrities (Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Marjorie Taylor Greene) are absent—each has split with Trump over the Iran war (13:20).
    Elena Moore:
    “That dissent is definitely felt...There’s a lot of talk of, we know there’s divides. We know there’s fighting, but we have to unify.” (15:27)

• Younger Influencers Take the Stage

  • Prominent slots go to newer conservative content creators (e.g. Nick Shirley), reflecting changing movement dynamics (13:27).

3. The Iran War and MAGA Base Divisions (15:13–19:46)

• Diverging Opinions at CPAC

  • Older attendees back Trump’s show of force toward Iran, considering Iran a longstanding threat:
    “This isn’t a new war...this is him ending one.” (Summary from Elena Moore, 16:41)
  • Some college-age Republicans voice ambivalence:
    • Andrew Belcher:
      “I think he understands the political risk of if this were to fail...this is the nail in the coffin for the rest of his presidency and will be his reputation for the rest of time.” (17:23)
    • Myles Parks:
      “I think the American people do not want another failed and long term regime change war.” (17:33)

• White House Focuses on MAGA, Not Broader Electorate

  • Tamara Keith:
    “When you are focusing on the level of support you have within your base and not the level of support you have within the broader electorate, that is generally a sign you’re sort of hunkered down.” (17:49)
  • Pew polling:

    • 80% of Republicans overall support the war.

    • <50% of Republicans under 30 approve (18:38).
      “There’s less enthusiasm for it...in a midterm year, enthusiasm is a huge, huge factor.” (Elena Moore, 18:38)

4. 2026 Midterms: Messaging, Momentum & Texas Subplots (19:25–22:06)

• Midterms Not Taking Center Stage

  • Trump’s usual ability to rally turnout for down-ballot races feels absent when he’s not present (19:54).
  • Only a handful of midterm candidates, such as Michael Whatley (running in North Carolina), get featured.
    Whatley links turnout to enabling Trump’s agenda.

• Issues That Animate the Base

  • Main topics: immigration, culture wars, anti-transgender messaging; less focus on Iran or midterms.
  • Subplot: Ongoing Texas GOP Senate primary; Trump has not made a promised endorsement (21:24).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Mueller Retrospective

• “Mueller came into this job, which turned out to be very controversial, having a wonderful reputation. Both Republicans and Democrats thought he was like the epitome of law enforcement... So much so that upon his passing, President Obama called him one of the most respected public servants of our time.”
  —Carrie Johnson (03:45)

• “Robert Mueller just died. Good. I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people. Exclamation point.”
  —President Trump via Truth Social (04:29)

CPAC Color

• “Comic Con, but for MAGA.” —Tamara Keith (11:27)
• “This is like still very much a Trump party. And by party I mean literally celebration...he is still very much the focus, but it is kind of striking that he’s not here. He’s looming all around, but he is not present.”
  —Elena Moore (12:11)

Young Republicans & the Iran War

• “I think the American people do not want another failed and long term regime change war.”
  —Myles Parks (17:33)

• “While Republicans as a whole—more than 80%—support the war, that number drops to like just under half when looking at Republican voters under 30.”
  —Elena Moore referencing Pew poll (18:38)

Important Timestamps

• 00:43–09:01: Robert Mueller’s career and legacy; Trump’s reaction to his death.
• 10:26–13:27: CPAC overview, Trump’s absence, change in conference tone.
• 15:13–18:38: MAGA divisions over Iran, perspectives from young conservatives.
• 19:25–22:06: CPAC and the 2026 midterms, messaging focus, and Texas Senate race subplot.

Tone & Takeaways

• Insightful, Immediate, and Nuanced:
  The hosts blend reporting with conversational analysis, using anecdotes and direct voter quotes to illustrate divides beneath the Republican movement’s surface.

• Underlying Themes:

  • Trump’s dominance—even in absence—is both rallying and divisive.
  • The Iran war is an issue that unifies older core supporters but loses enthusiasm among younger voters and some prominent conservative voices.
  • The GOP faces the challenge of maintaining unity and turnout, especially as key figures dissent and young voters show waning excitement.

This episode is essential listening for understanding the present state of the GOP, how the Iran war is playing among young conservatives, and what that means for the 2026 midterms and Trump’s movement going forward.