If Trump wins, he’ll be a vessel for the most regressive figures in US politics | Katrina vanden Heuvel

A Trump presidency would usher in dark consortium dedicated to stripping millions of Americans of our freedoms

Fifty years ago, then governor Ronald Reagan headlined the inaugural Conservative Political Action Conference. He spoke of the US as a city on a hill, an example of human virtue and excellence, a divinely inspired nation whose best days were ahead.

The speakers at last week's conference were decidedly less inspiring. A lineup of extremists, insurrectionists and conspiracy theorists gathered for panels like Cat Fight? Michelle v Kamala" and Putting Our Heads in the Gas Stove". At CPAC, you can drink Woke Tears Water", buy rhinestone-studded firearms and play a January 6-themed pinball machine.