'Coordinating would be illegal': Project 2025 fact-checked after claiming Trump disconnect
Project 2025, a massive MAGA plan to overhaul the federal government, is run by top advisers to former President Donald Trump, but he says he apparently knows nothing about the group, has no idea who's behind it, and insists he disagrees with many things they say.
After the coalition of conservative groups attempted to clarify it "does not speak for any candidate or campaign," critics quickly pointed to Project 2025: yes, you "literally" do — Karoline Leavitt, Trump's presidential campaign press secretary, appears in the group's recruitment advertisements.
Trump distanced himself Friday from Project 2025, posting to Truth Social: “I know nothing about Project 2025."
“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 and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them," he said.
Among its desires, Project 2025, organized by The Heritage Foundation, seeks to dramatically expand presidential power and replace up to 50,000 government workers with Trump loyalists.
However, Trump has his own ideas for changing the country and remaking the government, such as launching a mass-deportation operation and imposing tariffs on potentially all imports.
Read also: Project 2025 will rob veterans and active duty troops of billions in benefits
In response to Trump's post, Project 2025 said: “As we’ve been saying for more than two years now, Project 2025 does not speak for any candidate or campaign."
"We are a coalition of more than 110 conservative groups advocating policy & personnel recommendations for the next conservative president," the group added.
The awkward tension between Trump and Project 2025, which is run by several of Trump's own allies, wasn't lost on social media.
Some users pointed out that actually, Projected 2025 does speak for the candidate and his campaign.
"You literally do, though," wrote Andrew Bates on X, deputy press secretary at the White House.
He later added: "At 11:29 am, Trump claimed he knows 'nothing about Project 2025' despite it being run by top aides.
Then, at 1:23 pm, Project 2025 tweeted and that they “do not speak for any candidate - though Trump’s spokesperson does videos for them.
Almost looks coordinated."
"But coordinating would be illegal," chimed in Democratic strategist Joe Trippi Friday.
"Wow. Trump’s own spokesperson, @kleavittnh, is working for Project 2025," chided Parker Butler, head of Digital Rapid Response at the Biden campaign.
Some pointed out that Project 2025's own website indicates the opposite.
"My dude, it’s on your own websites," @cancelcultrclub replied to Project 2025. Attached was a screengrab of the group's website.
"Paul Dans, former chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) during the Trump administration, serves as the director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. Spencer Chretian, former special assistant to the president and associate director of Presidential Personnel, serves as associate director of the project."
And @vixnbox chimed in: "John McEntee, former director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office and one of Trump's most trusted aides, is a senior adviser for the project."
Ammar Moussa, also a director of rapid response for the Biden campaign, pointed out an "important point:" "Trump's own SuperPAC is running ads highlighting Project 2025."