CPAC: Nazis? What Nazis? – NBC: Here’s the Receipts

Over the weekend there were reports of Nazis and similar types in attendance at this year’s CPAC. There have been in the past of course but little attempt is made by high profile Republicans and Republican groups/gatherings to hide it anymore. Perhaps, since CPAC made a concerted effort to keep mainstream journalist out this year everyone thought they’d be safe. That’s probably why conference organizers have huffily said in effect Fake News, we didn’t welcome or even accept Nazis at this year’s conference! Well, it turns out there’s proof they did.

The Daily Beast has published an opinion piece by Justin Baragona that provides a very different (as in truthful) version of goings on in response to CPAC’s Matt Schlapp (and others) decrying attempts to paint them as welcoming Nazi’s at their signature annual event:

The organizers behind the Conservative Political Action Conference denied an NBC News story about neo-Nazis openly mingling at the annual confab, branding the report “false” and “fake news” while touting the group’s pro-Israel stance.

However, following the right-wing organization’s repeated denials, NBC News reporter Ben Goggin posted video and photographic evidence of prominent white supremacists attending last week’s event—including one openly giving a Nazi salute. CPAC did not respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment.

Schlapp had threatened to deny press passes to mainstream, and “left leaning” outlets but NBC’s Ben Scoggins managed to get credentialed and boy did he wind up with stories to tell. The gist of it was that “racist extremists” had “secured official CPAC badges” and “openly mingled with conference attendees and espoused antisemitic conspiracy theories.” But that’s not all:

The NBC report further noted that attendees included Greg Gonte, a Richard Spencer ally who was part of the deadlyUnite the Right Rally in Charlottesville; Ryan Sanchez, a former member of the neo-Nazi Rise Above Movement; and Jared Taylor, founder of the white supremacist website American Renaissance.

“At the Young Republican mixer Friday evening, a group of Nazis who openly identified as national socialists mingled with mainstream conservative personalities, including some from Turning Point USA, and discussed so-called ‘race science’ and antisemitic conspiracy theories,” Goggin wrote.

Remember what I said about “receipts?” Well, CPAC put out a tweet as I noted that denied they allowed these Nazi types free run of their little (and there are pictures of lots of empty seats at speeches including Trump’s) gathering. So Goggins decided to call them out as the liars they are with some actual proof:

Here’s a post from one mentioned in my piece wearing a cpac badge. In the next video, he’s giving a Nazi salute in the lobby of the conference hotel.

There was a notable presence at the conference whether CPAC was aware of it or not. pic.twitter.com/6diHfoGpMU

— Ben Goggin (@BenjaminGoggin) February 26, 2024

I like the part where Scoggins said he reached out for comment and CPAC was (I guess) to embarrassed to respond. Actually given the news likely to come this week that’s kind of smart on their part. Hope the story gets lost in the noise. However, there might be a teensy problem with that. Schlapp and organizers might have tried to limit the ability of journalists who might defy their bosses and actually report this kind of stuff. However, CPAC can’t control all those little Nazis and their ilk who are just GIDDY over being able to run around openly now and chat up bigwigs!

“At the Young Republican mixer Friday evening, a group of Nazis who openly identified as national socialists mingled with mainstream conservative personalities, including some from Turning Point USA, and discussed so-called ‘race science’ and antisemitic conspiracy theories,” Goggin wrote.

Conte reportedly said his group was “prepared to be ejected if CPAC organizers were tipped off, but that never happened.” Additionally, Sanchez tweeted a photo of himself shaking hands with Taylor during the conference, boasting that they were inside CPAC’s secure area

These asshats have reps./cred. to build back with their various local groups. And money to raise. You think they aren’t going to take to social media to show off? To say Look at me/us! And a message about whatever important person they were shaking hands and maybe even posing for photos with.  I’m sure it’s already out there and will continue. The only question is whether at least some mainstream journalists will turn it into a story. AND if they do if their editors/management will let them tell it.

I’ve made it clear what I think about those who decide what we actually see on TV or read in mainstream publications. At best they allow just enough of this kind of reporting to make what they hope is a credible enough claim their outlets are doing the jobs their predecessors once did. Pissing off people who can when the time comes place major ad buys isn’t something they want to do. (Too much of the “talent” feels the same way) I’d say I’m surprised this got published but then as I said we’re likely in for a big week so it will likely be ignored after today. Unless they tell their journalists to stay on it. (I’m not holding be breath on THAT)

There’s more and I encourage you to check out the link to Baronga’s article I provided. But the bottom line is that Schlapp/CPAC tried to lie their way out of not just tolerating but mingling with despicable attendees who once would have been (officially at least) not allowed into the conference. Or at least told to keep a very, very low profile.  CPAC didn’t expect to get called out but was, so they lied.

Luckily there was not only a a reporter who decided, but just as importantly was allowed (by his own bosses) to do his job has provided proof that CPAC lied. It doesn’t happen often enough but sometimes the good guys win.