“Think tanks are independent research! Project 2025 is just ideas!”

What You Say

Think tanks publish research — many also take undisclosed donor money and staff former officials who rotate back into government. Heritage Foundation's 922-page Project 2025 blueprint is now executive policy, not a white paper on a shelf. OpenSecrets tracks think-tank funding where disclosed; dark money fills the gaps. Ideas have authors, funders, and beneficiaries.