CPAC organizers accuse Politico of trying to ‘cancel’ conservative event with ‘misleading’ claims to sponsors

The Conservative Union of America accused Politico on Tuesday of attempting to “cancel” the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) by contacting potential sponsors in an act that “crosses the line from protected speech to political activism” .

CPAC organizers sent a scathing letter, signed by US Conservative Union attorney general David Safavian, to Politico CEO and editor, promising legal action. He began by asserting that Politico ignored its “ethics” of providing accurate reporting and non-partisan, hard-hitting information.

“We see Politico’s ethos abandoned, and instead find that its reporters are working, not to report news, but rather to create a self-justified narrative to support its own partisanship,” the letter said.

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“We understand that Politico reporters are calling the sponsors of our National Conference (CPAC) and making statements about both our president and our conference that are contrary to the facts. We know this because these same potential sponsors contacted us immediately. “, the letter continued. “By pushing a deceptive narrative to our supporters using cooperative resources, Politico is trying to cool CPAC sponsorship and harm the Conservative Union of America.”

Politico did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The American Conservative Union’s general counsel wrote that the effort of Politico staff members “amounts to tortious interference in business relationships” which will not be tolerated.

“Whether you realize it or not, you are showing our sponsors and supporters your political bias. Fortunately, most see this effort for what it is: ‘fake news’,” the letter continued. “Our founding fathers understood that the press had a special role to play in our democracy. As such, the authors gave the news media protections in the First Amendment. However, Politico’s continued campaign against it. American Conservative Union crosses the line from protected discourse. To political activism. “

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The Conservative Union of America has accused Politico of participating in the culture of cancellation.

“Based on the journalists’ investigations that have come to our attention, Politico’s unsubstantiated claims, innuendos and lies seem destined to ‘nullify’ both CPAC and the Conservative Union of America itself,” Safavian wrote. . “We fully intend to explore our legal rights to hold Politico accountable for what we consider to be criminal conduct.”

After the letter was sent, Politico ran an article titled “Large MAGA Gathering Finds Life Complicated After Trump”, which mentions Safavian’s contemptuous letter. The Politico report says he contacted the sponsors of CPAC.

“As for this year’s sponsors, some of whom have spent up to $ 250,000 in recent years on exclusive perks and branding opportunities, several said they are still evaluating the benefits or have decided not to sponsor. at all due to poor returns on investment or changes. Michael Hawkins, COO of Gryphon Editions, said his company had no plans to sponsor the conference this year after being told that CPAC Bookstore, which has been set up for participants in recent years, would no longer be available due to Covid -19 precautions, “wrote Gabby Orr and Daniel Lippman of Politico.” Other former sponsors – including the Washington Examiner, National Committee Republican, Turning Point USA, Heartland Institute and Save our States – said they had not yet made a decision last week on sponsorship again. “

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CPAC 2021 is scheduled for February 25-28 in Orlando, Florida. The event, billed as the world’s largest and most influential gathering of conservatives, typically takes place in the Washington, DC area, but has been moved to Florida due to the coronavirus pandemic.