ORLANDO, Florida — Donald Trump is one of the biggest topics of conversation here at the Conservative Political Action Conference. His name covers the shoes, stickers, T-shirts, and hats of attendees. There's no question: He's their star.

But the former president wasn't part of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' big speech Thursday before the largest annual conservative gathering in the United States.

Instead, DeSantis focused on DeSantis, earning rounds of applause while taking a victory lap over his own approach to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida while frequently bashed the current president.