The conservative blueprint for the next Republican president, known as Project 2025, has stirred up controversy as former President Donald Trump distances himself from the initiative. Despite Trump’s claims of not being involved, it has been revealed that many individuals close to him, including former Cabinet secretaries and ambassadors, played a significant role in shaping the 900-page playbook for a second Trump term.
A review by CNN found that over 140 people who worked in the Trump administration were part of Project 2025, with ties ranging from day-to-day staff to high-level officials. The extensive overlap between Trump’s allies and Project 2025 complicates his efforts to disassociate from the work, especially as the initiative’s policies come under scrutiny.
Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, aims to overhaul the executive branch and recruit conservative individuals to fill government positions. While some of the priorities align with Trump’s views, others, such as banning pornography and restricting access to contraceptives, go beyond what the former president has explicitly supported.
Despite Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Project 2025, his connections to the initiative remain evident through key figures and organizations involved in shaping conservative policies. The project’s detailed plans and proposals reflect a broader effort within Trump’s political movement to influence the direction of the country.
As the debate over Project 2025 continues, the extent of Trump’s influence on conservative policy-making and the future of the Republican Party remains a topic of interest and speculation.