President Joe Biden hit back at former President Donald Trump over his ties to the far-right wishlist Project 2025 by releasing a new ad tying Trump to the plan.
Project 2025 is a set of conservative and right-wing policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation aimed at restructuring the United States federal government and consolidating executive power if the Republican nominee wins the 2024 presidential election.
These plans have come under increased scrutiny and Trump has tried to distance himself from them, claiming in a recent post on Truth Social that these ideas are "absolutely ridiculous and abysmal."
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Biden shared the ad along with the following caption:
"I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Project 2025 lately. Here’s the truth: It’s a dangerous takeover by Trump and his allies to pass his extreme MAGA agenda."
"Watch our new ad—then head to http://trumpsproject2025.com to learn more."
The ad notes that the initiative would "dismantle democracy as we know it," stressing that electing Trump would usher in an era of authoritarian governance. It notes that the plan would "purge the civil service," is anti-union, would raise taxes for the middle class, and strip women of their reproductive freedom.
An anchor concludes with the following message:
"What's at stake here is democracy itself. It's now Donald Trump's party and if he's elected, the consequences will be catastrophic."
You can see his post and the ad below.
Many joined Biden in sounding the alarm.
Although Trump has claimed to have no knowledge of these proposals, it's worth noting that of the 38 individuals responsible for writing and editing Project 2025, 31 were appointed or nominated to positions in the Trump administration and transition.
Project 2025, linked here, is a comprehensive document detailing what a future Trump presidency would entail, encompassing not just policy proposals on immigration, education, and the economy, but also a vision of the America that conservatives aim to create in the next Republican administration, whether led by Trump or another standard bearer.
This document serves as a meticulous blueprint for implementing this vision, providing recommendations for key White House staff, cabinet positions, Congress, federal agencies, commissions, and boards. It also outlines a vetting process to ensure the appointment and hiring of individuals aligned with this vision at every level of government.
The plan includes several controversial proposals. It calls for a federal ban on pornography, with an implied potential for banning content related to gay and trans people. It seeks to enforce a federal ban on abortion under all circumstances, even in cases of severe fetal defects.
The plan proposes terminating civil servants without cause and replacing them with Trump loyalists, which could lead to a significant loss of institutional knowledge and efficiency within government departments every 4–8 years. It also aims to ban gay marriage and divorce, regardless of circumstances.
Furthermore, it significantly limits the powers of the FDA, CDC, and OSHA, making medicine and disability aids harder and more expensive to obtain while reducing workplace safety regulations. The plan lowers the legal working age and reduces child labor protections. It reduces the size and power of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and restricts its ability to conduct reviews.
