You've probably seen the headlines. For months, people have been asking: is trump tied to project 2025, or is it just a massive conservative wish list he's never actually touched?
Honestly, the answer is a bit messy. If you ask the Trump team, they'll tell you they have nothing to do with it. But if you look at the names in the 900-page "Mandate for Leadership" and then look at the people currently running the federal government in 2026, you start to see a very clear pattern.
It’s like a puzzle where all the pieces have the same shape.
The Denial vs. The Reality
During the 2024 campaign, Donald Trump was pretty blunt about it. He claimed he knew "nothing" about Project 2025. He even called some of the ideas "seriously extreme."
But here is the thing.
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More than 140 people who worked in the first Trump administration were involved in writing that massive document. We’re not talking about low-level interns. We’re talking about the heavy hitters.
Key Players Holding the Reins
Look at Russell Vought. He was a major architect of Project 2025. Today? He’s heading the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). That’s basically the "nerve center" of the entire government.
Then there’s Peter Navarro. He wrote the trade section for Project 2025 and is now a top trade adviser in the West Wing.
And we can't forget Brendan Carr. He wrote the chapter on the FCC, and now he’s the guy actually running the FCC. It’s hard to argue there’s no tie when the people who wrote the plan are the ones currently holding the pens.
What's Actually Being Implemented?
By early 2026, the data shows that this wasn't just a "theoretical" document. According to trackers from groups like PBS News and the ACLU, the administration has already moved on roughly 40-50% of the goals laid out in Project 2025.
It’s happening fast.
- The Military: On day one, Trump signed an order ending diversity programs in the military, exactly as the document suggested.
- Reproductive Rights: The administration rescinded Biden-era policies that helped service members travel for abortion care. This was a specific "ask" in the Project 2025 playbook.
- The "One Big Beautiful Bill": This 2025 budget law included provisions to defund Planned Parenthood for a year—another core pillar of the Heritage Foundation’s plan.
The Schedule F Factor
The most controversial part of the is trump tied to project 2025 debate is "Schedule F."
Basically, this is a plan to reclassify thousands of civil service workers as political appointees. Why does that matter? Because it makes them easy to fire. Project 2025 wasn't just about policy; it was about personnel.
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They wanted a "LinkedIn for Conservatives" to replace the career experts at the DOJ, the EPA, and the State Department. Since returning to office, the administration has actively worked to weaken these agencies, shifting more power directly to the President.
Why the Distance?
You might wonder why Trump tried to distance himself if he was going to use the ideas anyway.
Kinda simple: Politics.
Project 2025 became a "boogeyman" in the 2024 election. It was deeply unpopular with moderate voters. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts even admitted that Trump's disavowal was a "political tactical decision."
Basically, Trump wanted the car, but he didn't want to be seen with the mechanics.
The 2026 Landscape
As of today, the "Mandate for Leadership" is less of a suggestion and more of a roadmap. Whether it’s the mass deportation plans spearheaded by people like Tom Homan (a contributor to the project) or the push to eliminate the Department of Education, the fingerprints are everywhere.
It’s not a secret anymore.
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Actionable Insights for Navigating 2026:
- Monitor Executive Orders: Most Project 2025 goals are being met through "Day One" style orders rather than long sessions in Congress. Keep an eye on the Federal Register.
- Watch the Personnel: Follow the appointments of former Heritage Foundation or "America First Policy Institute" staff. These are the people most likely to implement the Project 2025 agenda.
- Track State-Level Shifts: Since the administration is pushing more power to the states (like with FEMA reform and education), local elections in 2026 are becoming more important than ever.
- Review Budget Reconciliations: This is where the big "defunding" happens. The "One Big Beautiful Bill" of 2025 was the first major test of this strategy.
The connection between the administration and the project is no longer a "conspiracy" or a campaign talking point. It is the literal operating manual for the current government.