MARALAGO, Florida (TPA) — Oh, sugar, let me tell you, I’ve been catching some heat for my last article, “The Dark Side of Project 2025 - A Roadmap to American Fascism.” Folks are saying I got it all wrong, that this isn’t Trump’s platform. Well, honey, grab your tea, because we’re about to dive deep into the connections between Project 2025, its major corporate backers, and Trump’s Agenda 47. Let’s clear up the confusion and expose the ties that bind.
Major Corporations Funding the Heritage Foundation
First off, let’s talk about the money trail. The Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025, is heavily funded by some of America’s largest corporations. We’re talking about giants like ExxonMobil, Pfizer, and the Charles Koch Institute. These companies have a vested interest in the policies promoted by the Heritage Foundation, particularly those that favor deregulation and conservative economic policies.
According to SourceWatch and data from the Conservative Transparency project, significant contributions come from a variety of sources, including major corporate donors like Koch Industries, which has a long history of funding conservative causes. Other notable donors include the Scaife Foundations, the Mercer Family Foundation, and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. These foundations are known for their support of right-wing policies and initiatives.
Project 2025 and Its Authors
Project 2025 is essentially a comprehensive plan crafted by the Heritage Foundation to shape the next conservative administration. The project’s policy book, “Mandate for Leadership,” features contributions from numerous former Trump administration officials and right-wing activists. Key authors include Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, and other conservative thinkers who were deeply embedded in Trump’s administration.
Former Trump officials like Jonathan Berry, who authored the chapter on the Department of Labor, have a significant presence in this project. Berry’s proposals include rolling back protections for workers and emphasizing a conservative Christian viewpoint in labor policies. The project’s comprehensive nature covers everything from environmental policies to immigration, reflecting a broad conservative agenda that aligns closely with Trump’s own policies during his presidency.
Trump’s Agenda 47 and Project 2025: The Connections
Now, here’s where things get spicy. Trump might be trying to distance himself from Project 2025, but the similarities between Project 2025 and his own Agenda 47 are undeniable. Both agendas push for severe cuts to climate change initiatives, stringent immigration policies, and significant deregulation efforts.
For instance, Project 2025 calls for dismantling climate-related regulations and reducing the Environmental Protection Agency's powers, mirroring Trump’s own stance on environmental policies. Both agendas also emphasize a strong stance against China, promoting economic decoupling and increased military spending to counter Chinese influence.
Trump’s Agenda 47 includes plans to further restrict immigration, echoing Project 2025’s proposals to end birthright citizenship and use military funds to build detention camps for undocumented immigrants. These harsh immigration policies are a cornerstone of both Trump’s and Project 2025’s visions for America.
Taraji P. Henson and the BET Awards
Taraji P. Henson didn’t mince words when she brought attention to Project 2025 at the BET Awards. She highlighted the dangerous path this plan could set the country on, drawing significant public scrutiny. This pushback has led Trump to publicly distance himself from Project 2025, but the policy similarities are hard to ignore.
Despite Trump’s attempts to separate himself from Project 2025, the fingerprints of his administration’s officials are all over the document. The policies proposed in Project 2025 are essentially an extension of Trump’s previous actions in office, suggesting a continuity that Trump cannot easily deny.
The Dark Underbelly of Project 2025
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what Project 2025 aims to achieve. The plan is filled with controversial proposals that could dramatically reshape American society. One of the most alarming aspects is its approach to reproductive rights. Project 2025 aims to attack reproductive rights from several angles, including removing the term “abortion” from all federal laws and regulations, reversing abortion pill approval, and punishing providers by withdrawing federal health funding.
Project 2025’s vision extends to education as well. It proposes introducing conservative Christian values into public schools and undermining secular education standards. This includes pushing for school vouchers, which would divert public funds to private religious schools, thereby eroding the public education system.
Furthermore, the project seeks to dismantle many of the social safety nets that millions of Americans rely on. By restructuring Medicaid to avoid providing reproductive health care and penalizing providers, Project 2025’s authors aim to curtail access to essential health services for the most vulnerable populations.
The Environmental Rollbacks
Another significant area where Project 2025 and Trump’s Agenda 47 align is in their approach to environmental policy. Both plans advocate for reducing the regulatory powers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and rolling back climate change initiatives. This includes dismantling Obama-era regulations on carbon emissions and withdrawing from international climate agreements.
The proposals in Project 2025 suggest a complete overhaul of the nation’s approach to environmental protection, favoring corporate interests over ecological sustainability. This aligns with Trump’s previous actions in office, where he prioritized economic growth over environmental conservation, often to the detriment of public health and natural resources.
Economic Policies and Deregulation
Economic deregulation is a core component of both Project 2025 and Agenda 47. The Heritage Foundation’s plan calls for sweeping deregulation across various sectors, including finance, energy, and healthcare. This involves repealing Dodd-Frank financial regulations, which were put in place after the 2008 financial crisis to prevent another economic meltdown.
Both plans also propose significant tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, under the guise of stimulating economic growth. However, such policies often lead to increased income inequality and reduced government revenue, impacting public services and social programs.
Civil Rights and Liberties
Project 2025’s vision for America includes rolling back many civil rights protections. This includes limiting LGBTQ+ rights by allowing businesses to refuse service based on religious beliefs and removing protections for transgender individuals in the military and public schools.
Additionally, the plan proposes enhancing surveillance and law enforcement powers, which could lead to significant privacy invasions and potential abuses of power. These measures are presented as necessary for national security, but they raise serious concerns about the erosion of civil liberties.
The Influence of Conservative Think Tanks
It’s important to note that the Heritage Foundation is not working in isolation. Project 2025 is the result of collaboration with several other conservative think tanks and advocacy groups, including the Federalist Society and the American Enterprise Institute. These organizations have a long history of shaping Republican policy and have been instrumental in advancing conservative agendas through legislative and judicial means.
Don’t Piss on Me and Tell Me it’s Rain
So, for those who say Project 2025 isn’t Trump’s platform, take a closer look. The corporate backers, the authors with deep ties to Trump’s administration, and the striking policy similarities between Project 2025 and Agenda 47 paint a different picture. The connections are clear, and the implications are profound.
Stay woke, stay informed, and don’t let anyone pull the wool over your eyes. The future of our country depends on our vigilance and our willingness to speak out against these dangerous agendas.
References
These sources provide comprehensive insights into the funding behind the Heritage Foundation, the authors of Project 2025, and the connections to Trump’s Agenda 47.
Stay Woke.
Unmasking Project 2025: The Hidden Agenda