Democrats took their campaign against the conservative Project 2025 blueprint to the sky above college football stadiums in swing states by flying banners sponsored by the Democratic National Committee over key games. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the plan, authored by allies of Republican Donald Trump, which outlines drastic measures such as firing federal workers and imposing restrictions on abortion. The banners flew over stadiums with a total capacity of over 380,000 fans, with messages tailored to each game. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the initiative.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her allies have been warning about Project 2025 for months, portraying Trump as extreme based on the plan’s proposals. The DNC strategically timed the banner flights to coincide with college football games where large numbers of potential Trump supporters were in attendance. Despite the potential for backlash from pro-Trump crowds, the DNC remained committed to getting their message across. Democratic strategist Brad Bannon cautioned against focusing excessively on Project 2025, as it may overshadow Harris’ positive message about the changes she wants to make. It is essential for her to establish her own profile separate from attacking Trump.
Many college football fans come from rural, Republican-leaning areas, posing a potential risk for political candidates who try to leverage sports events for their campaigns. While some candidates have faced booing from sports crowds, like Trump did at a World Series game, others have had successful interactions at tailgates and games. Despite the unpredictable nature of sports crowds, the DNC remained undeterred in their efforts to raise awareness about Project 2025. The campaign highlighted the ties between Trump and the controversial plan and utilized creative avenues to disseminate their message.
The DNC marked Labor Day by emphasizing how Project 2025 would undermine worker rights and overtime rules. They also ran internet ads targeting users searching for back-to-school information. By consistently bringing up Project 2025 in various contexts, the DNC aimed to inform the public about the potential consequences of the plan. Democrats drew attention to instances like JD Vance receiving backlash at a firefighters convention and Trump’s online attacks on political opponents to emphasize the ties to Project 2025. The strategy of incorporating the plan into multiple facets of the campaign was a deliberate effort to reach a wider audience and educate voters.
Despite concerns about potential backlash from sports crowds, the DNC remained focused on their mission to raise awareness about Project 2025. College football games provided a platform to reach a large audience of potential voters, despite the likelihood that many attendees may support Trump. The banners flying over stadiums served as a visual reminder of the implications of the conservative initiative and its connections to Trump. By utilizing unconventional methods to convey their message, the DNC aimed to engage voters and encourage them to consider the consequences of reelecting Trump.
