CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A campaign ad paid for by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign claims former President Donald Trump is involved with Project 2025, saying the conversation plan is part of Trump's goals if elected.
Project 2025 is an initiative launched in April 2022 by The Heritage Foundation to provide a roadmap for the next conservative president to transform the government in favor of conservative social policies and ideals.
WCNC Charlotte's Verify team is fact-checking ads you see on TV during the lead-up to the 2024 election. The ad being spotlighted is against Trump, claiming he is involved with Project 2025.
As this election season ramps up, WCNC Charlotte is verifying the ads you see on your television. The Verify team is fact-checking ads purchased by campaigns themselves, as well as those put together by political action committees, also known as PACs.
THE CLAIM
"He's out of control and he has a plan to get it, it’s called Project 2025."
THE ANSWER
This claim needs context. While Trump continues to say he has no involvement, there are several connections between him and the group responsible for laying out these plans.
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
Project 2025 is a 922-page plan that lays out a roadmap intended for the next conservative president to transform the government in favor of conservative political policies and ideals. It was created by a conservative group called the Heritage Foundation.
Trump has never publicly endorsed Project 2025 and has posted several times on his social media saying he had nothing to do with it.
His campaign also came out in a statement stating Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign and should not be associated with the campaign or the president in any way.
Most recently, Trump again said during the Sept. 10 presidential debate that he had nothing to do with the plan.
"I have nothing to do with Project 2025," Trump said. "That's out there. I haven't read it, I don't want to read it, this is a group of people who came up with some ideas, I guess some good, some bad."
In a July 5 post on X, a Project 2025 spokesperson stated it doesn't speak for any candidate or campaign. However, there have been several connections between Trump and Project 2025 itself.
More than 20 of the 27 authors behind the project's policy plan worked in the Trump administration. The project website also touts how it impacted shaping past conservative policies including those implemented during Trump's presidency.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.