'Project 2025' explained as Trump reveals bombshell 'meeting' despite claiming to not be involved
Donald Trump has announced a meeting with a Project 2025 'architect' despite spending much of 2024 attempting to distance himself from the document.
As of this week, the 79-year-old is seemingly embracing the controversial conservative blueprint that both his 2024 presidential campaign opponent Kamala Harris and his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, have previously condemned.
Previously, Trump has denounced Project 2025 in the past, going as far as to say its contents were ‘ridiculous and abysmal’. However, it appears the tide has changed as he prepares for a meeting with one of its writers.
Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about the political legislation, as well as what Democrats think of it.
What is Project 2025?
Project 2025 is a right-wing wish list; a product of the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institution based in Washington.
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The 900-page document, which has been described as a conservative blueprint, is essentially a proposal to restructure the federal government and punish Democratic states, as per the Associated Press.
It was drafted by many of President Trump's longtime allies, as well as current and former administration officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Some of the polices outlined in its pages tackle immigration, dismantling certain federal agencies, banning pornography, and withdrawing approval for abortion medication.
What did Trump previously say about Project 2025?
Trump spent a chunk of last year condemning and distancing himself from Project 2025. In July 2024, he insisted that he knew ‘nothing’ about the document's contents and that he had ‘no idea’ who was behind it.
“I disagree with some of the things they’re saying, and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them,” he said.
The former businessman’s campaign chiefs were equally as critical, with Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita claiming reports of Project 2025’s demise ‘would be greatly welcomed’.
“President Trump’s campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way,” they wrote in a campaign memo, as per ABC News.
“Reports of Project 2025’s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign — it will not end well for you.”
What is Trump saying now about Project 2025?
Despite previous misgivings, the 47th POTUS has apparently embraced plans laid out in Project 2025.
These include efforts such as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Elon Musk previously headed, as well as budget recession packages.
On Thursday (October 2), the father-of-five officially aligned himself with Project 2025, revealing that a meeting with his budget chief, Russ Vought, was going ahead.
The Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget is described as the ‘architect’ of the right-wing paper.
"Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent,” Trump wrote via Truth Social.
“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
When asked about Trump’s reversal, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “Democrats are desperate to talk about anything aside from their decision to hurt the American people by shutting down the government.”
What have Democrats said about Project 2025?
Both of Trump's Democratic rivals, former President Biden and Vice President Harris, have scorned Project 2025, and it made the wish list a centrepiece of their individual campaigns.
Following the news that Trump would be embracing the conservative paper, Harris posted on X, where she alleged: “This was always the plan.
“Project 2025 was Donald Trump's blueprint to seize unchecked power within the federal government and restrict Americans' freedoms. And he is implementing it right in front of our eyes.”
“Donald Trump and his stooges lied through their teeth about Project 2025, and now he’s running the country straight into it,” said Ammar Moussa, a former spokesperson for both campaigns.
“There’s no comfort in being right — just anger that we’re stuck with the consequences of his lies.”
Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget under Biden, said the Trump administration had been following the project's blueprint all along, despite trying to distance itself.
“I guess Democrats were right, but that doesn’t make me feel better,” she said. "I'm angry that this is happening after being told that this document was not going to be the centerpiece of this administration.”
Topics: Politics, Republicans, Donald Trump, US News
Ella Scott