Donald Trump has expressed support for Project 2025, describing parts of its policy agenda as “very conservative and very good.”
The president-elect has offered mixed reactions to Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation. Initially, Trump distanced himself from the initiative during his 2024 presidential campaign, dismissing parts of the 900-page document as “ridiculous and abysmal.”
“I know nothing about Project 2025,” Trump stated in July on Truth Social. “I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying, and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous.”
Despite these comments, Trump softened his stance in an interview with Time magazine after being named its 2024 Person of the Year. While he reiterated his lack of involvement with Project 2025, he acknowledged that certain aspects of the plan align with conservative values.
“I don’t disagree with everything in Project 2025,” Trump said. “They have some things that are very conservative and very good. But I didn’t want to read it because I wanted to maintain distance and say I had nothing to do with it.”
Trump also criticized the timing of the document’s release, claiming it complicated his campaign. “It was foolish to release it before the election,” he said.
Connections to Project 2025
While Trump continues to distance himself from the initiative, several individuals involved with Project 2025 have been tapped for roles in his second administration. Russ Vought, who directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during Trump’s first term and contributed to Project 2025, has been nominated to return to that role. Vought’s work on the initiative included strategies to expand presidential authority and limit the influence of career civil servants.
Brendan Carr, who authored the Federal Communications Commission section of Project 2025, is also among Trump’s nominees. Additionally, former officials like Tom Homan, John Ratcliffe, Pete Hoekstra, and Paul Atkins—each connected to the project—have been named for key roles.
Stephen Miller, a prominent figure in Trump’s administration, contributed to Project 2025 through his organization, America First Legal.
Democrats have pointed to Trump’s Cabinet selections as evidence of his alignment with Project 2025. During a September debate, Vice President Kamala Harris referred to the plan as “a dangerous agenda” Trump intends to implement—a claim he promptly denied.
Tony Carrk, executive director of the watchdog group Accountable.US, argued that Trump’s appointments indicate a clear commitment to the initiative. “Within the first 180 days, Project 2025 aims to undermine reproductive rights, favor billionaires over working-class Americans, and dismantle key investments. Trump is assembling a team to deliver on that agenda,” Carrk stated.
Republican strategist John Feehery, however, downplayed the document’s influence. “Trump isn’t an ideologue, and Project 2025 isn’t driving his administration. He surrounds himself with loyalists of varying ideologies, not policy purists,” Feehery said.
Trump’s Stance Moving Forward
Karoline Leavitt, a Trump spokesperson, reiterated that Trump had no involvement with Project 2025. “The American people re-elected President Trump to implement his campaign promises, not someone else’s agenda. His Cabinet picks reflect his commitment to putting America First,” she said.
As Trump prepares for his second term, questions remain about the extent to which Project 2025 will shape his administration’s policies.
