WASHINGTON – The two top aides to President Trump pumped up a conference of conservative activists Thursday with promises of economic nationalism and a new political order.

Steve Bannon, senior adviser to the president, and Reince Priebus, Trump’s chief of staff, also continued the White House’s assault on the news media as the “opposition party” that seldom gets the news right.

They appeared in a rare appearance together at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on the National Harbor in nearby Maryland.

Priebus criticized the press for reporting baseless rumors tied to nameless sources and leaks. He was hopeful the press would improve as Trump’s achievements take hold and that news reports “catch up eventually.”

Bannon, however, would have none of it. He warned that if conservatives think the media “is going to give you your country back without a fight, you’re sadly mistaken.” He described the media as liberal “globalists” who are opposed to Trump’s “economic nationalist” initiatives.

Bannon, former head of the far-right Breitbart News, said the “biggest misconception” about Trump’s first month in office “is everything you’re reading” in the news media.

Preibus said that included reports he and Bannon were at odds with each other over policy and decisions, creating confusion in the White House. Both said that wasn’t the case, and professed each other played an important West Wing role.

Bannon said Priebus is “steady … in by far one of the toughest jobs I’ve ever seen.” Priebus said Bannon keeps the administration true to its beliefs, that “his presence is one that’s important to have” in advancing Trump’s agenda.

Bannon, who sits on the National Security Council, described that agenda as focused on national security, economic growth in America, trade reform and dismantling what he called “the administrative state” of the federal government.

A delegate to the conference, Brian Oates of Washington, D.C., said watching the the two aides dance together was reassuring, but the added: “I really don’t care if Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus are fighting.”

Ryan Errotabere, also of Washington, proudly wore a red Trump hat while others wore t-shirts saying, “Socialism Sucks.” Those interviewed mostly supported Trump’s programs but, in a couple cases, with trepidation.

Micael Ward of Central New Jersey thought Trump’s vow to build a southern border wall during the campaign was a rhetorical flourish, but now that he is acting on the promise, he worries that American taxpayers may end of paying for it and not the Mexican government.

A McClatchy-Marist poll Thursday found Trump with only a 41 percent approval rating, and 58 percent of respondents said they are embarrassed by the president. But conservative activities at the conference said they don’t care.

And a year ago, those attending the CPAC conference were skeptical of Trump’s conservative bona fides. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz easily outpolled him in a straw poll.

But he wasn’t president then and he is now.

“Policy-wise, it has gone fine,” said Ellen Colyer of Baltimore of Trump’s first month. “But he needs to stop being distracted over sidebars,” including fighting with the news media.

“I think (the media) can be shockingly biased,” she said. “But i think it’s a step too far to say they’re enemies of the people.”

Kery Murakami is CNHI’s Washington political reporter. Contact him at kmurakami@cnhi.com.