'Massive and unneeded political liability': RNC delegate admits Project 2025 could hurt GOP

19 July 2024

When The Hill interviewed Chris LaCivita — a senior adviser for Donald Trump's campaign — at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, he tried to distance the former president from the controversial Project 2025.

A 900-plus page blueprint for a second Trump Administration, Project 2025 is full of proposals that Democrats believe could damage Trump's campaign. And LaCivita told The Hill, "These people do not speak for him. They do not speak for the campaign. We're the ones putting out policy. In a perfect world, from their perspective, they would love to drive the issue set. They don't get to do that."

LaCivita had similar comments when Politico interviewed him.

Yet Democrats have maintained that Project 2025 was designed by Trump's allies and is very much a reflection of policies he will pursue if he returns to the White House.

NOTUS' Ben T.N. Mause, in an article published on July 19, argues that even though Trump and his allies avoided talking about Project 2025 during the convention, its influence was evident there.

"While it's not receiving its usual attention from the masses," Mause explains, "Heritage didn't leave its baby at home. At the think tank's policy fest on Monday, Director Paul Dans and President Kevin Roberts discussed Project 2025 at a hotel blocks away from Fiserv Forum, the arena hosting the RNC. Dans later made an appearance at its Wednesday social hour just outside the arena."

Mause adds, "Roger Severino, another project author, also attended. Within the RNC perimeter, though, Project 2025 was barely mentioned. It was a glaring absence, especially compared to its heavy presence at another prominent conservative convention, NatCon 4, just last week, where speakers extolled its virtues and panelists proclaimed its benefits."

Jackson Carpenter, a Texas delegate to the convention, was critical of Project 2025 and told NOTUS, "It's a massive and unneeded political liability."

Mause notes that the convention was full of pro-Project 2025 speakers.

"Project 2025's plan was crafted by the former president's close allies and aligns with many of the policies he pushed in his first administration," Mause observes. "Multiple RNC speakers, including Ben Carson, Peter Navarro and Tom Homan, authored or contributed to sections of the project, suggesting that the document is closely aligned with the party's policy wishes."

Read NOTUS' full report at this link.

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