Robert Fico’s decision to speak at CPAC—alongside right-wing firebrands Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage—signals his deepening ties with the global nationalist movement while raising uncomfortable questions about Slovakia’s geopolitical trajectory. By aligning himself with figures who have weaponised data-driven psychological targeting, dismantled democratic safeguards, and championed anti-globalist rhetoric, Fico is not merely engaging in a political rally—he is reinforcing an agenda that directly serves the interests of both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. His simultaneous inquiry into U.S. funding for Slovak NGOs echoes the tactics of autocrats who seek to delegitimise civil society, a strategy perfected by Orbán and Putin. At a time when the U.S. and Russia are quietly discussing post-war economic ties in Riyadh—without Ukraine or Europe at the table—Fico’s ideological pilgrimage to CPAC risks dragging Slovakia into a political no-man’s land, isolated from its Western allies and increasingly tethered to an illiberal axis stretching from Washington to Moscow.
Robert Fico is listed as a confirmed speaker at CPAC, which will take place in Washington from 19–22 February 2025. The annual conference, organised by the American Conservative Union (ACU) since 1974, has become a key gathering for right-wing political figures. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has addressed the event multiple times, and this year’s lineup includes high-profile nationalist and populist voices.
According to CPAC’s website:
“Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico is a confirmed speaker for CPAC in DC 2025. Fico has served three premierships, in which he has been known for standing against the European Union’s migration policy, opposing gender ideology being taught in school, and standing for Slovak national sovereignty. In May 2024, Fico survived an assassination attempt that left him in life-threatening condition.”
Among the other confirmed speakers are former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.
Steve Bannon, a key architect of the modern right-wing populist movement, played a central role in shaping Trump’s nationalist agenda. His influence extended through data-driven psychological targeting, most notably via Cambridge Analytica. As the head of Breitbart News, he mainstreamed far-right narratives and pioneered the “flood the zone” tactic—deliberately overwhelming media discourse to control public debate. His methods, rooted in media manipulation and digital influence, have redefined right-wing political strategy not only in the United States but also in Europe.
Nigel Farage a prominent British right-wing populist played a pivotal role in advocating for Brexit as the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). During the Brexit campaign, the Leave.EU group, with which Farage was associated, reportedly received assistance from Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm that offered services to influence voter behaviour through targeted social media campaigns. Beyond his domestic endeavours, Farage has been a vocal supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, appearing at Trump rallies and endorsing his political approach. This transatlantic alliance underscores Farage’s influence in shaping right-wing populist discourse both in the UK and internationally.
Despite Fico’s scheduled appearance, the Slovak government has not officially confirmed his trip to the United States or provided details on his agenda. The visit comes at a time of heightened political tensions in Slovakia, with ongoing coalition instability and growing criticism of the government’s stance on media and civil society.
Attempt to Engage Elon Musk
Beyond CPAC, Fico has expressed interest in meeting billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Last week, the prime minister sent Musk a letter, reportedly via a Trump adviser, seeking information on U.S. government funding for Slovak non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Fico’s request aligns with his broader narrative that foreign-funded civil society groups have been used to undermine certain political factions.
His inquiry coincides with Musk’s recent decision to advocate for the dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move widely supported by right-wing figures who argue that the agency has been used for political interference abroad. Fico has long accused USAID and similar Western initiatives of supporting Slovak NGOs that he claims promote a biased political agenda.
Analysis: Fico’s Right-Wing Crusade Is A Win for Trump, and a Gift to Putin
Fico’s participation in CPAC signals a strategic alignment with the global right-wing movement, particularly its American wing, while also advancing narratives favourable to the Kremlin. His opposition to EU migration policy, rejection of progressive social policies, and increasingly vocal criticism of foreign-funded NGOs mirror the rhetoric of figures such as Trump, Bannon, and Farage. At the same time, his hostility towards Western-backed civil society and his emphasis on national sovereignty echo Moscow’s long-standing efforts to undermine European unity and democratic institutions.
A key element of this strategy is Fico’s scrutiny of U.S. funding for Slovak NGOs, a move that fits into a broader effort to delegitimise independent civil society—whether in Hungary under Orbán, Poland under PiS, or Russia under Putin. While leaders like Trump and Bannon frame such organisations as liberal strongholds working against conservative nationalism, the Kremlin takes this narrative further, branding NGOs as foreign agents engaged in subversion. By echoing this rhetoric, Fico is not only reinforcing his government’s control over independent organisations but also aligning himself with a political strategy that weakens democratic oversight and favours authoritarian consolidation.
By speaking at CPAC, Fico is both strengthening his ideological ties with the American conservative movement and positioning himself within a broader illiberal bloc that extends from Washington to Moscow. His engagement with figures who challenge U.S. foreign aid and European institutions risks further distancing Slovakia from its traditional Western allies. This comes at a moment of geopolitical uncertainty, as U.S. and Russian officials recently convened in Riyadh to discuss ending the war in Ukraine and expanding economic cooperation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to establish a high-level team to support peace negotiations and explore post-war economic opportunities. The absence of Kyiv and European allies from these discussions has raised significant concerns, highlighting a potential shift in U.S. strategic priorities. Against this backdrop, Fico’s presence at CPAC and his alignment with U.S. figures pushing for a retreat from global democratic commitments suggest Slovakia could increasingly find itself on the periphery of Western decision-making, caught between the competing interests of Washington and Moscow.
