Harris criticized Trump, saying, “You’re going to hear from the same old tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances, and name-calling.” She added, “What you’re going to hear is a dangerous and detailed playbook called Project 2025.”
Trump responded by asserting that he has no connection to Project 2025.“As you know, and as she knows, I have nothing to do with Project 2025. That’s out there, I haven’t read it. I don’t want to read it, purposely. I’m not going to read it,” he said.
Trump continued, stating that while people involved in creating Project 2025 may have had ideas, he has no association with them. “I guess some good, some bad,” he said, adding that it makes no difference to him because he has nothing to do with it.
What is Project 2025?
Project 2025 is a 920-page document developed by the Heritage Foundation, outlining potential policies and changes for a hypothetical second term of Donald Trump’s presidency. The document was organized by the conservative think tank and includes contributions from individuals who served in Trump’s administration. Despite this, Trump has publicly distanced himself from the initiative, labeling some of its ideas as “seriously extreme.”
The proposals in Project 2025, which include right-wing policies and a radical reshaping of the executive branch, have been frequently criticized by Democrats. A Harris campaign official stated that the campaign has deliberately associated all of Trump’s policies with “Project 2025,” believing this branding resonates with voters, reported CNN.
Though the Project 2025 report was released in April 2023, opposition to the document has intensified as Trump’s polling lead has grown. In response to the increased scrutiny, Trump has distanced himself from the proposal, stating on his social media platform, Truth Social, “I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it.” He further characterized some of the project’s ideas as “absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.”