FreedomFest wrapped its four-day run at Caesars Forum this past weekend.
This year's slogan, “Think Independent,” doubled as a nod to America's 250th birthday. The conference pulled in nearly 1,700 attendees this year.
Nevada conservatives didn't have to travel far. It happened right here in Las Vegas, on Koval Lane.
But in this case, we're hoping what happens in Vegas doesn't just stay here.
250 Years, Front and Center
Six themed pavilions, each running its own lineup at the same time. More than 200 breakout sessions.
A Tradeshow for Liberty exhibit hall packed with over 100 exhibitors.
A Global Financial Summit running alongside a comedy festival, a film festival, and a startup pitch competition with real money on the line.
The speaker list alone tells you how big this thing has gotten: Steve Forbes, Sen. Rand Paul, Kennedy, Adam Carolla, Erick Erickson, John Mackey, Rob Schneider, Dean Cain, Glenn Beck, and Marissa Streit of PragerU all made appearances, on top of the usual roster of economists, journalists, and entrepreneurs FreedomFest pulls in every year.
And the 250th anniversary theme showed up everywhere, as it ought to.
Dean Cain read the entire Declaration of Independence on the main stage.
Glenn Beck brought actual Revolutionary War artifacts and walked the crowd through their history.
Steve Forbes played George Washington in a live scene from “1776.” Hamiltunes performed music from the Broadway hit.
FreeedomFest Founder Mark Skousen even dressed up as Benjamin Franklin for an original play his wife wrote for the occasion.
It was a conference, but it felt more like a party for the country's 250th.
The Fights on Stage
John Mackey, the former Whole Foods CEO, squared off against Marxist professor Andrew Hartman in a full-on capitalism-versus-socialism debate, moderated by Skousen himself.
Reason's Jacob Sullum and TV personality Wayne Allyn Root went at it over whether Trump has been a net gain or a net loss for liberty, with Epoch Times editor Jan Jekielek keeping them in line.
There was a “Free Will Debate” pitting Michael Shermer against a philosophy panel over whether people are actually rational, calculating creatures or just wayward and unpredictable.
FreedomFest has never shied away from a real argument, and this year had a few good ones.
ICE Goes on Trial — and Walks
FreedomFest's signature mock trial put ICE on the stand this year, and asked a simple question: has it gone too far?
Del Bigtree, who ran RFK Jr.'s 2024 campaign, played judge. Atlanta criminal defense attorney Catherine Bernard prosecuted, while TV personality Wayne Allyn Root handled the defense. ACLU of Nevada's Athar Haseebullah and Reason's Billy Binion testified for the prosecution. Dean Cain testified for the defense.
The audience-jury came back not guilty. Eight to four.
Nevada Republicans, This One's for You
Our own Chuck Muth spent time on stage with Grover Norquist and John Fund breaking down exactly what Nevada Republicans keep getting wrong, and it's not what most consultants think.
We've got the full writeup here: Inside FreedomFest: The Panel That Told Republicans How to Actually Win.
Closing Arguments
Saturday's closing panel brought Fund, Norquist, Steve Forbes, Erick Erickson, and Rep. Dusty Johnson together for a midterm forecast.
Sen. Rand Paul stopped by too, hosting a fundraising lunch and warning from the main stage against rushing into another Middle East war.
The conference closed out Saturday night with the Independence Ball, wrapping four days that organizers hope set the tone heading into November.
Mark Your Calendar: 2027 Is a Milestone Year
Organizers already have next year locked in.
FreedomFest returns to Caesars Forum July 21-24, 2027, and it's a milestone: the 20th anniversary of the show under the FreedomFest name.
Nevada readers, circle the dates. This one's a big one.
Republicans got a clear assignment out of Vegas this year. See you in 2027, when we'll find out if they actually listened.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
