On Monday, former Fox News host and right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson posted an interview with billionaire and X owner Elon Musk. At the nineteenth minute of the 108-minute interview, Carlson takes a break to talk about one of the show’s paid partners, the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation. Carlson then goes on to describe something that sounds suspiciously similar to Project 2025, the Foundation’s highly controversial roadmap for a second Trump presidency.
The Heritage Foundation, Carlson says, “gathered a coalition of more than 100 right-wing groups to develop a comprehensive plan that would include detailed policy proposals on the most pressing issues” and “has also developed a plan to dismantle the deep state that maintains this nonsense.” and reclaim this nation from a small group of technocrats who have broken everything.”
Although Carlson does not refer to Project 2025 by name, the language he used in the announcement reflects the text on the Project 2025 websitewhich says the plan “brings together more than 100 respected organizations from across the conservative movement, to end the Deep State and return government to the people.”
Carlson also referenced the Project 2025 personnel program, designed by former Trump aide John McEntee, aimed at ensuring a second administration has loyal staff.
The Tucker Carlson Network did not respond to a request for comment about whether the ad was specifically for Project 2025. The Heritage Foundation did not respond to questions about whether the ad describes Project 2025 or another initiative.
Trump has made efforts to distance himself of Project 2025 after its unpopularity it became evident. Harris’ campaign has focused on the extreme nature of Project 2025, highlighting it in multiple ads. After Trump disavowed Project 2025, Paul Dans, director of the Heritage Foundation, He said he would close the project.
At the time, Trump campaign spokespeople Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said: “Reports about the demise of Project 2025 would be very welcome and should serve as a warning to any person or group attempting to misrepresent their influence over the president.” Trump and his campaign; It won’t end well for you.”
Project 2025 would roll back legal protections for women, LGBTQ+ people, and racial minorities; limit the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation; hinder the country’s ability to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change; and even abolish the Federal Trade Commission.
The special sponsor link for Carlson’s program leads to a donation page that Nor does it specifically mention Project 2025.but it does ask for support to help “end illegal immigration.”
After leaving Fox News, Tucker Carlson founded the Tucker Carlson Network, which hosts his show online. Carlson has been associated with X to present his program, although X did not respond to questions about whether the interview with Musk was presented on X or if the company participated in its preparation.
In the interview, Musk says he believes a Kamala Harris administration would seek to shut down X, and said he was “completely in agreement” with Trump. On October 5, Musk joined Trump on the campaign trail in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the former president was the target of an assassination attempt three months ago. Musk used his time on stage at the rally to encourage Trump supporters to “vote, vote, vote,” stating that if Trump were to lose, 2024 would be the last US election. Musk repeated this statement during his interview with Carlson.
