Did President Trump's First 100 Days Mirror Project 2025? A Comprehensive Analysis

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 27, 2025

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Project 2025: An Overview of its Goals and Objectives

Project 2025, a policy initiative developed by conservative think tanks and advisors, aimed to provide a detailed roadmap for a Trump administration. It encompassed a wide range of policy areas, reflecting a distinctly conservative agenda centered around "America First" principles.

Key Policy Proposals of Project 2025:

• Immigration: Stricter border control, reduced legal immigration, and increased enforcement of existing immigration laws. Keywords: immigration reform, border security, deportation.
• Economy: Tax cuts, deregulation, increased infrastructure spending, and promotion of economic nationalism. Keywords: tax reform, deregulation, infrastructure investment, economic nationalism, fiscal policy.
• Foreign Policy: A more transactional approach to international relations, prioritizing American interests, and reassessing existing alliances. Keywords: America First, international relations, foreign policy, trade deals.
• Healthcare: Repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with market-based alternatives. Keywords: Healthcare reform, ACA repeal, market-based healthcare.

The Methodology and Sources of Project 2025:

The project's goals were formulated through extensive research, consultations with experts, and input from various conservative think tanks and organizations.

• Think Tanks: The Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and others played significant roles in shaping Project 2025's policy proposals.
• Individuals: Key advisors and policy experts contributed their expertise to the development of the plan.

The Intended Impact of Project 2025:

Project 2025 envisioned a significant shift in American policy, aiming to:

• Immigration: Reduce illegal immigration and strengthen national security.
• Economy: Stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance American competitiveness.
• Foreign Policy: Reassert American leadership on the global stage while prioritizing national interests.
• Healthcare: Increase access to affordable healthcare through market-based solutions.

President Trump's First 100 Days: A Detailed Examination

President Trump's first 100 days were characterized by a flurry of executive actions and policy pronouncements. Many of these actions directly addressed issues central to Project 2025, while others diverged significantly.

Key Executive Actions and Legislation:

• Executive Orders: Numerous executive orders focused on immigration, trade, and deregulation were issued. Keywords: Executive Orders, presidential directives, regulatory reform.
• Legislation: While major legislative achievements were limited in the first 100 days, efforts to repeal and replace the ACA were initiated.

Economic Policies and Outcomes:

Trump's early economic policies focused on tax cuts and deregulation.

• Tax Cuts: While not enacted within the first 100 days, the groundwork for significant tax cuts was laid.
• Deregulation: Several executive orders aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on businesses were issued.

Foreign Policy Initiatives:

Trump's first 100 days saw significant shifts in foreign policy approach.

• Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): This signaled a move away from multilateral trade agreements.
• Strengthening relationships with some key allies: While some alliances were challenged, efforts were made to strengthen ties with others.

Comparing Project 2025 and Trump's First 100 Days: Areas of Convergence and Divergence

Comparing Project 2025 to Trump's first 100 days reveals both notable alignments and striking discrepancies.

Alignment of Policies:

• Immigration: The focus on stricter border control and increased enforcement mirrored Project 2025's proposals.
• Deregulation: The early push for deregulation was consistent with the project's emphasis on reducing regulatory burdens.

Discrepancies and Explanations:

• Healthcare: The initial attempts to repeal and replace the ACA fell short, highlighting the challenges of navigating political realities and Congressional opposition.
• Foreign Policy: While some aspects of Trump’s foreign policy aligned with Project 2025's "America First" approach, other actions, like maintaining some key alliances, diverged from a purely transactional approach.

Unintended Consequences:

• Trade Wars: Early protectionist measures triggered retaliatory tariffs from other countries, leading to uncertainty in the global markets.
• Increased Political Polarization: Trump's policies deepened existing political divisions within the United States.

Conclusion: A Retrospective on Project 2025 and Trump's First 100 Days

In conclusion, while President Trump's first 100 days showed considerable overlap with Project 2025's conservative agenda, particularly in areas such as immigration and deregulation, significant discrepancies emerged, especially regarding healthcare reform and the approach to foreign policy. The political realities of governing proved more complex than the project's idealized roadmap. Unintended consequences also underscored the challenges of implementing sweeping policy changes. Continue the conversation on whether President Trump's initial policy decisions truly reflected the aims of Project 2025. Share your insights and further analysis in the comments below!