Trump’s Ties to Project 2025 Resurface With News of a Private Flight Shared with the Manifesto’s Author

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Former President Donald Trump shared a private flight in April 2022 with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, raising questions about his connection to the controversial policy blueprint Project 2025 – of which Roberts is the author.

The 45-minute flight took Trump and Roberts from Palm Beach, Florida, to a Heritage Foundation conference where Trump delivered a keynote address, according to the Washington Post. An image obtained by the newspaper showed Trump and Roberts sitting together on the flight.

During his speech, Trump praised the Heritage team: “They’re going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do.”

Despite these remarks, Trump has since repeatedly claimed ignorance about Project 2025, a policy plan developed by a coalition of right-wing groups, including many Trump administration alumni.

“Have no idea who is in charge of it,” Trump said in a social media post in July.

Roberts, who took over Project 2025’s day-to-day management last week, confirmed he had briefed Trump on the project: “I personally have talked to President Trump about Project 2025.”

However, Trump’s campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, previously denied that such a briefing took place.

The tension between Trump’s recent denials and his previous involvement has intensified scrutiny of Project 2025’s proposals, which include eliminating the Education Department and weakening civil service protections. One of the more contentious proposals involves restricting access to abortion medication, a stance that conflicts with current Trump campaign messaging.

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