Photos: Scenes from CPAC 2023

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

If this year's Conservative Political Action Conference can be summed up in two words, they are: Donald Trump.

The annual gathering in National Harbor, Maryland, was once a must-attend event for GOP politicians, but this year, many of the party's stars — including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence — ef="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ron-desantis-will-skip-cpac-rcna72537" target="_blank">stayed away from what has clearly become Trump territory.

Aside from Trump, some of this year's speakers were former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is running for president.

NBC News producer Frank Thorp has been known to photograph with a large format camera in the Capitol. This time, he used disposable cameras. Here are some of the moments he captured.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell speaks to reporters ahead of his speech. Trump and DeSantis hats sit at a vendors table. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell speaks to reporters ahead of his speech. Trump and DeSantis hats sit at a vendors table. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
An attendee holds up an American flag in the main hall of CPAC after a speech in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
An attendee holds up an American flag in the main hall of CPAC after a speech in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Deborah Gordon. Binh Vo-Ngoc Trang Channel. Christena Kincaid  travels around the country to attend Trump rallies. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Deborah Gordon. Binh Vo-Ngoc Trang Channel. Christena Kincaid travels around the country to attend Trump rallies. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Two attendees dressed in costumes talk while taking a break from posing with pictures with attendees at CPAC. An attendee wearing a Trump flag as a cape walks through media row at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023.  (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Two attendees dressed in costumes talk while taking a break from posing with pictures with attendees at CPAC. An attendee wearing a Trump flag as a cape walks through media row at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Herneitha Rochelle Hardaway, known as “Silk”, center, is escorted by security through media row at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Herneitha Rochelle Hardaway, known as “Silk”, center, is escorted by security through media row at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Kelly Schofield holds a sign supporting Nikki Haley’s run for President in the main hall of CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. Former South Carolina Gov. and current GOP presidential hopeful, Nikki Haley, poses for a selfie after her speech to CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
Kelly Schofield holds a sign supporting Nikki Haley’s run for President in the main hall of CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. Former South Carolina Gov. and current GOP presidential hopeful, Nikki Haley, poses for a selfie after her speech to CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
An attendee puts his arm around Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez to pose for a picture in the media row at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)
An attendee puts his arm around Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez to pose for a picture in the media row at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com