Report: Trump Advisor Vivek Ramaswamy Was a Top Contributor To Far-Right Group Deeply Enmeshed In Project 2025

Washington D.C. – Tax filings obtained by government watchdog Accountable.US and first reported by Politico reveal that Vivek Ramaswamy, a top advisor to President-elect Trump, was a top individual donor in 2023 to The Council for National Policy (CNP), a far-right organization that has operated for over four decades as a secret hub for the most extreme and influential U.S. conservatives. An Accountable.US review found several current CNP board members hold influential positions in organizations that serve on the advisory board for Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for gutting the U.S. government to the detriment of everyday Americans.

While Ramaswamy — the near-billionaire and unelected co-director of Trump’s new advisory body, the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”) — is not publicly associated with Project 2025, the broad outlines of his plan for promoting “government efficiency” align with proposals put forth by Project 2025. Through DOGE, Ramaswamy is reportedly eyeing deep cuts to Veterans Administration health care, Pell Grants, Heads Start, and other programs millions of everyday Americans depend on – all to help pay for a second round of the Trump tax giveaway for big corporations and billionaires that Ramaswamy would be among the biggest beneficiaries of. While Trump has insisted that Project 2025 holds no influence over him, Ramaswamy’s plans and the now six Project 2025-tied individuals Trump has tapped for top roles in his administration indicate the opposite. 

“It’s no coincidence Vivek Ramaswamy’s recommendations for gutting critical services for everyday Americans line up with those of Project 2025. It turns out, Ramaswamy is a top donor of a shadowy far-right group with several board members deeply entangled with Project 2025,” said Accountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk. “It’s becoming clearer and clearer Donald Trump’s and Project 2025’s agenda are one in the same, which boils down to more giveaways to wealthy special interests like Ramaswamy and his friends at the expense of working people, veterans, seniors, students and children.” 

What is the Council for National Policy?  Founded in 1981 by evangelical minister Tim LaHaye, known for co-authoring the “Left Behind” Christian book series that describes gay people as being “vile,” CNP has cultivated a reputation of being exclusive, radical, and shadowy. CNP also runs a 501(c)(4) dark money group that tried to help Donald Trump overturn the 2020 election results. CNP is known to conduct its meetings in five-star hotels—where members are strictly forbidden from discussing the proceedings with the public. The organization has become a vital hub for coordinating activities between right-wing strategists, donors, and activists. Its membership includes leaders of other major conservative organizations, including the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society, the National Rifle Association, and other influential right-wing groups.

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