Scoop: Biden seizes debate limelight for "Project 2025" push
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The Biden campaign is using Thursday's debate to launch a new offensive against Trump allies' radical plans to transform the U.S. government, known as "Project 2025."
Why it matters: The Biden campaign wants to convince jaded voters that a second Trump presidency poses grave risks to the country. Biden officials see Project 2025 — which calls for an unprecedented expansion of presidential power — as a useful blueprint for what Trump's return would bring.
Between the lines: The controversial transition agenda was compiled by the Heritage Foundation with input from close Trump allies and former aides — some of whom are likely to take top jobs if he wins — but Project 2025 is not an official campaign platform.
- The Trump campaign points instead to the Agenda47 website for policies explicitly endorsed by former President Trump.
Yes, but: The Project 2025 proposals have started to attract more attention online as more Americans tune into the race.
- Google search interest in "Project 2025" surged earlier this month, and a John Oliver segment on Trump's plans for a second term racked up nearly 5 million views on YouTube in under a week.
Driving the news: The Biden campaign, whose messaging around Project 2025 accelerated after March's State of the Union address, is trying to capitalize on the viral momentum.
- It launched a new website Thursday highlighting contentious policies from the Heritage Foundation's 920-page "Mandate for Leadership," a comprehensive policy guide for reshaping the federal government.
- Many of the policies are aimed at eliminating or shrinking the authority of government agencies and institutions that could challenge Trump's agenda. Biden's campaign website claims Trump is preparing to "use the office of the presidency to turn his dark dreams into reality."
- The campaign is rolling out a series of digital and physical ads across Atlanta — the site of the debate — directing voters to the website, a campaign official told Axios.
- The campaign also is seeking to leverage influencers to raise the alarm on TikTok, where millions of young and low-information voters, two critical voting blocs, consume content.
What to watch: It's not clear whether Biden will address Project 2025 directly from the debate stage.
- Candidates often reference campaign websites during debates to try to drive attention and donations.
- At the very least, the Biden campaign is trying to direct some of the added attention generated by the debate to an issue they believe can break through with voters.
The other side: The Trump campaign has its own savvy digital operation, complete with a TikTok account that surpassed the Biden campaign in followers in less than three days.
- In April, the RNC launched a website called BidenBloodbath.com that lists incidents of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
- Trump may have more debate stunts up his sleeve before he and Biden go head-to-head at 9pm ET.
