Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
The slogan "Make America Great Again" exemplifies this idea, paired with the extensive use of patriotic imagery (e.g., flags, rallies). Trump’s rhetoric and Project 2025 promote American exceptionalism, emphasizing America’s dominance on the world stage and portraying other nations, immigrants, or global cooperation (e.g., the UN) as threats to sovereignty.
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Policies like family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border, bans on certain groups (e.g., the Muslim travel ban), and rhetoric dismissive of prisoners’ rights and human rights organizations demonstrate this disdain. Project 2025 undermines human rights by proposing to gut civil rights protections and emphasizing “security needs” over individual freedoms.
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
Immigrants, liberals, "woke" culture, LGBTQ+ individuals, and socialists are repeatedly cast as existential threats. Trump's frequent vilification of these groups creates division while rallying his base. Project 2025 outlines policies aimed at dismantling rights and protections for many of these groups.
Supremacy of the Military
Increased military budgets under Trump and his glamorization of military might reflect this. Project 2025 reinforces a militarized approach to border security and law enforcement, emphasizing strength over diplomacy or domestic welfare programs.
Rampant Sexism
The administration’s rhetoric, anti-abortion policies, and attempts to roll back gender equality reflect traditional gender role enforcement. Project 2025 pushes for strict conservative values, including opposition to abortion and curtailing LGBTQ+ rights, while downplaying women’s rights and gender equity.
Controlled Mass Media
Trump consistently attacked the media, branding it as “fake news” while favoring outlets like Fox News. Project 2025 aligns with this control narrative by proposing reforms to neutralize dissent in media and promote favorable coverage.
Obsession with National Security
Fear-mongering around immigration, terrorism, and border security underscores this obsession. Policies like the border wall and travel bans demonstrate using security as a justification for extreme measures. Project 2025 expands this by focusing on centralized federal power to ensure “national security.”
Religion and Government are Intertwined
The administration frequently invoked Christian values and aligned with evangelical leaders to push conservative policies. Project 2025 integrates religion into governance, favoring Christian-nationalist ideals and using religious rhetoric to justify policy changes.
Corporate Power is Protected
Trump's tax cuts disproportionately benefited corporations and the wealthy. Deregulation efforts prioritized corporate interests over environmental protections or labor rights. Project 2025 continues this trend, embedding corporate leaders into government decision-making and dismantling regulations.
Labor Power is Suppressed
Trump’s policies weakened labor unions and collective bargaining rights. Project 2025 aligns with these goals, aiming to erode worker protections in favor of employer rights.
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Trump frequently dismissed scientific consensus (e.g., climate change) and academic expertise. Funding for the arts and education was deprioritized. Project 2025 advocates further limiting academic freedom, defunding public arts, and promoting conservative cultural values.
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Trump’s law-and-order rhetoric amplified fear of crime, justifying harsh policing practices and advocating for expanding police power. Project 2025 proposes federal control of law enforcement, emphasizing punitive measures and mass incarceration.
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
The administration was marked by nepotism (e.g., appointing family members to key positions) and scandals involving misuse of power. Project 2025 cements this by embedding loyalists in key bureaucratic positions, further insulating those in power from accountability.
Fraudulent Elections
Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results, promotion of the “Big Lie,” and efforts to suppress votes reflect this. Project 2025 includes measures to tighten election control under the guise of “election security,” potentially disenfranchising marginalized voters.