(Editor's Note: The following opinion column does not constitute an endorsement of any political party, or candidate, on the part of Newsmax.)
The Harris campaign is using Project 2025 as one of its principal attacks against former President Donald Trump. The Trump campaign needs to continue denying any connection with Project 2025 and take other actions to buttress this denial.
Project 2025 is headed by The Heritage Foundation in conjunction with over 100 conservative organizations. It produced an over-900 page book containing suggestions on areas of government and policy.
The way that Project 2025 is presented makes it appear to be affiliated with the Trump campaign. Its full title is "Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project."
Its website states: "Project 2025 is the effort of a massive coalition of conservative organizations that have come together to ensure a successful Administration begins in January 2025."
It is taking resumes to create a "Presidential Personnel Database" and has a plan for the first 180 days of an administration. Some individuals who worked for Trump are involved with Project 2025.
Project 2025 does not state that it is separate from the Trump campaign and not affiliated with it. The only reference to a separation are screenshots from USA Today articles on the bottom of the front page of Project 2025's website that state that there is no affiliation.
The Harris campaign has two arguments regarding Project 2025.
First, it argues that Trump created and/or is using Project 2025. Second, it argues that even if Trump is not involved, his people are.
With both arguments, Vice President Kamala Harris disparages Project 2025, especially its most radical suggestions, and tells voters not vote for Trump because Trump will implement Project 2025. Harris' website is replete with references to Project 2025.
The front page states: "Trump’s Project 2025: More than 900 pages of a plan to give Trump unprecedented, unchecked power to do whatever he wants." The "Issues" page has four references to Project 2025.
The front page of the website links to a page entirely devoted to Project 2025. It states various untruths such as: "His Project 2025 agenda would strip away our freedoms – by forcing states to report on women's miscarriages and abortions, cutting Social Security and Medicare, and eliminating the Department of Education."
The Harris campaign is airing commercials based on Project 2025.
An example is this commercial, which aired during college football, NFL games, and other TV shows. The Harris campaign has also run this commercial.
Trump has repeatedly stated in speeches and Truth Social posts that he has nothing to do with Project 2025.
In his debate with Harris, he disavowed Project 2025. The ABC News debate moderators did not fact check and correct Harris when she tried to tie Trump to Project 2025.
Trump, as well as Sen. J.D. Vance, must continue disavowing Project 2025 and attacking the Harris campaign for stating that a connection exists with Trump. Trump recently announced "Kamala's Project 2025," a list of 14 of Harris' extreme policies, and this point is a good start.
The Trump campaign, however, needs to take more aggressive steps.
First, the Trump transition team should create a website for Trump's transition with a 100-day plan and a portal for resume submissions. This website would counter the perception that Project 2025 is the only transition-related website.
Second, Trump and the transition team should host a press conference and indicate that Project 2025 does not have any affiliation with the Trump campaign or transition team.
Third, any individuals working for the campaign or tied to Trump who contributed to Project 2025 must publicly disavow any portions of Project 2025 to which they did not contribute.
Fourth, the Trump campaign could air commercials disavowing any connection with Project 2025.
Fifth, the campaign should consider legal action against Project 2025. The campaign could send a demand letter forcing Project 2025 to (a) state on the top of every page of the Project 2025 website that it is not affiliated with Trump and (b) remove any language implying a connection with Trump.
If Project 2025 does not comply, the Trump campaign should pursue litigation. These legal actions will demonstrate that Trump is not connected with Project 2025.
Project 2025 should pursue its own legal action against the Harris campaign. Because the Harris campaign is mischaracterizing Project 2025 as an entity affiliated with Trump, which is untrue, a mechanism may exist to stop any further similar statements; force the retraction of previous statements; and remove any radio, TV, or internet content with those assertions.
Project 2025 will likely play an even bigger role in the last weeks of the campaign. With its presence in Harris' ads and website, Harris likely considers it as one of her strongest arguments.
The Trump campaign cannot ignore the Project 2025 attacks and hope that they do not impact the election. It must take the above steps to ensure that Project 2025 is not the reason for a Harris victory.
Michael B. Abramson is a practicing attorney. He is also an adviser with the National Diversity Coalition for Trump. He is the host of the "Advancing the Agenda" podcast and the author of "A Playbook for Taking Back America: Lessons from the 2012 Presidential Election." Follow him on his website and Twitter, @mbabramson. Read Michael B. Abramson's Reports — More Here.
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