Democrats Slam Trump on Billboards Over Right-Wing Project 2025 Links

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is launching a billboard campaign across Phoenix, spotlighting former President Donald Trump’s ties to the controversial Project 2025.

This effort forms part of a broader strategy by the DNC to link Trump to Project 2025, targeting battleground states including Arizona ahead of the upcoming Republican National Convention.

Project 2025, which originates from the Heritage Foundation, aims to overhaul the U.S. federal government and concentrate executive power, should Trump return to office. The proposal, devised with input from former Trump aides, includes policies on abortion, taxes, immigration, and federal agency reductions.

The Heritage Foundation’s document has endorsements from over 100 conservative groups, some with extreme stances on various issues. It proposes completely banning abortion, placing the Department of Justice under direct presidential control, intensifying immigration enforcement, and implementing drastic federal cuts.

Despite Trump distancing himself from Project 2025 on his social media platform, Truth Social, connections between the project and his associates persist. Notably, John McEntee, a former top Trump aide, is a prominent figure in its development.

Other key Trump officials have also been linked to the proposal. Russell Vought, Trump’s former budget chief and now the Republican National Committee’s policy director, is another major contributor.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and white nationalist Nick Fuentes have expressed frustration over Trump’s attempts to distance himself from the plan. Despite his recent stance, Trump previously praised the Heritage Foundation’s efforts while they were developing Project 2025.

Billboards in both English and Spanish are encouraging voters to explore Project 2025 online. This push has led to a notable increase in Google searches for the initiative, driven by the Democrats’ campaign efforts.

“Donald Trump and his Republican buddies are trying their best to hide their dark and sinister plans because they know that draconian bans on abortion, higher prices, and dismantling democracy don’t go over well with voters,” said DNC spokesperson Rosemary Boeglin in a statement regarding the billboards.

The billboards will be prominently displayed across the Phoenix metro area, including locations along Loop 202 near Scottsdale Road and I-10 near US 60, and they will remain up through the weekend.

Project 2025 has notable connections to Arizona. Scottsdale-based Alliance Defending Freedom and Phoenix-based Turning Point USA contributed to drafting the proposals. Both organizations are linked to a secretive Christian policy group that has pushed similar agendas and spread election misinformation.

Critics argue that the proposal aims to incorporate Christian nationalist policies into a potential Trump administration. Christian nationalism advocates for a government led by Christians, devoid of religious pluralism.

Furthermore, elements of Project 2025 align with Dominionism, which advocates for Christians to control most aspects of society. Certain beliefs, such as the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” call for Christians to dominate various societal spheres, championed by figures like TPUSA’s Charlie Kirk.

Retired Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump’s first national security adviser, is a significant promoter of Christian nationalism and Dominionism. Flynn claims to wage “spiritual warfare” and build an “army of God” and is associated with other Dominionist groups.

Flynn also financially supported the Arizona Republican Senate’s partisan audit of the 2020 election. An organization he co-founded sponsored misinformation-laden committee meetings in Arizona concerning COVID-19.

Arizona Republican State Sen. Janae Shamp, a Flynn supporter, displays a Christian nationalist flag at the Capitol. Shamp has shared multiple QAnon posts on social media, including some linked to neo-Nazis and anti-Semites.

Sen. Steve Montenegro, R-Goodyear, an ally of Shamp, collaborates with Flynn-aligned The America Project. Trump has indicated potential plans to reinstate Flynn if re-elected.