The Economist explains

Is this the end of Project 2025, the plan that riled Donald Trump?

The right-wing blueprint for governing has taken centre-stage in America’s presidential campaign

Republican presidential candidate and former USA President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at his golf resort in Doral, Florida, USA.
Photograph: Reuters

“CAN YOU BELIEVE they put that thing in writing?” Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, asked supporters in July. Dry policy documents—and this one runs to over 900 pages—do not usually make for exciting campaign fodder. But Democrats have pounced on “Project 2025”, pitched by its authors as a presidential transition plan for Donald Trump’s second term, should he win the election in November. It was published in April 2023. But the former president has in recent weeks disavowed the plan. Then on July 30th Paul Dans, who led the initiative, stepped down. (The Heritage Foundation, the think-tank co-ordinating Project 2025, claims Mr Dans’s departure was long planned.) Does this mark the end of Project 2025, or will a Trump administration still put its conservative ideas into practice?

Discover more

Close-up of chrysotile asbestos fibers on a gloved hand.

Is RFK junior right to say America allows more toxins than the EU?

He is, but things are slowly beginning to change

A photo illustration showing a pile of coal gradually disappearing.

What would it cost to kill coal?

The price of shutting down coal power, and what would be gained


A bumper sticker on an SUV reads 'FLUORIDE - THERE IS POISON IN THE TAP WATER' in Blackhawk, Colorado, USA.

Should America ban fluoride in its drinking water?

The idea by Robert F. Kennedy junior—nominated by Donald Trump as health secretary—may have teeth


Why is Donald Trump keen to use “recess appointments”?

The president-elect is testing the loyalty of the Senate’s next majority leader

Will Donald Trump’s power be unchecked if Republicans win the House?

A “trifecta” of presidency, Senate and House of Representatives would provide a huge opportunity

Why The Economist endorses political candidates

Our independence is protected by our principles and structure