MILWAUKEE — For attendees of the Republican National Convention, there’s nothing remotely subtle about the role of the Heritage Foundation — the Washington, D.C.-based conservative group behind the highly contentious Project 2025 "presidential transition" plan.
Fly into Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and the first evidence that the GOP convention is taking place in this Wisconsin city is a set of giant signs that read: “Heritage welcomes you to the RNC Convention in MKE.”
A digital billboard inside the airport atrium flashes a similar message.
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Only after the Heritage Foundation PR bombardment will convention-goers be greeted by signs from C-SPAN, the Daily Signal and generic welcome-to-Milwaukee banners.
Go to the website advertised on the Heritage Foundation's airport signs and you're invited to watch the upcoming "Heritage’s Policy Fest" live stream — an event Monday morning and afternoon that "will unite and inspire conservatives around the promise to our country and a plan to target the moral and foundational challenges America faces in this moment of history."
The Heritage Foundation's event promises to feature "remarks from elected officials, prominent media figures, and other conservative leaders!"
While the come-on doesn't specifically mention Project 2025, the full plan is available just a click away on the website of the Heritage Foundation,
Project 2025 has become a flashpoint not only between Republicans and Democrats, but within the Republican Party itself.
Former President Donald Trump, who is expected to name his vice presidential running mate this week before formally accepting the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination, this week distanced himself from Project 2025, saying he he knows "nothing" about it despite former members of his administration writing it.
Project 2025 contains a litany of goals that range from mass deportations and mass federal government firings to a nationwide abortion ban and dismantling of the Education department. It also aims to empower Trump to directly control the Justice Department and the FBI.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported earlier this week that the Heritage Foundation signed on as a major sponsor of the Republican National Convention.
It's not yet known how much it donated to either the Republican National Committee's federal convention account or the separate, nonprofit Milwaukee host committee, which is responsible for much of the logistical, promotional and civic-related work surrounding the convention.
The host committee is required to disclose its financing to the Federal Election Commission two months after the Republican National Convention's completion, according to federal rules.
