A Web of Deception: Unveiling the Trump-Linked Dark Money Network Behind "Progress 2028"
The 2024 presidential election is rapidly approaching, and with it comes a surge of political maneuvering, both overt and covert. A recently unearthed initiative, dubbed "Progress 2028," initially presented itself as a liberal counterpoint to the conservative Heritage Foundation’s "Project 2025," seemingly aligning with Vice President Kamala Harris’s political leanings. However, a deeper investigation has revealed a far more complex and deceptive reality. "Progress 2028" is not a grassroots liberal movement, but rather a sophisticated operation orchestrated by a dark money network with ties to former President Donald Trump. This revelation casts a stark light on the increasingly murky world of political influence and the lengths to which some actors will go to manipulate public opinion.
At the heart of this intricate web of influence lies Building America’s Future (BAF), a dark money group that has emerged as a significant player in the 2024 election landscape. BAF has channeled vast sums of money, reportedly exceeding $100 million, into a constellation of organizations and initiatives aimed at bolstering Trump’s agenda and eroding support for Vice President Harris. The funding for BAF, according to reports, originates from a mix of donors, including billionaire Elon Musk. BAF’s involvement in "Progress 2028" was confirmed through corporate filings and DNS records, which show BAF registering the name and subsequently launching the website. The website’s creation is linked to IMGE LLC, a firm run by Republican operatives and described as the "hidden hand" guiding BAF’s activities. This connection further solidifies the initiative’s ties to the Republican political sphere.
The "Progress 2028" manifesto, ostensibly outlining a progressive vision, mirrors the structure and rhetoric of the controversial "Project 2025," a blueprint for reshaping the executive branch under a potential Republican administration. However, "Progress 2028" goes beyond mere imitation; it actively propagates distorted and misleading claims about Harris’s policy positions. The document promotes narratives such as Harris’s supposed support for providing undocumented immigrants with free healthcare and tuition, claims that have been refuted by Harris’s running mate. The document also misrepresents Harris’s stance on issues like gender-affirming care, fracking, and gun control, painting a picture that diverges significantly from her publicly stated positions.
This disinformation campaign extends beyond online pronouncements. Text messages directing recipients to the "Progress 2028" website have been circulated, further amplifying the misleading information. Moreover, "Progress 2028" has invested heavily in digital advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, spending over $36,000 in just five days. These ads, while appearing to endorse Harris, subtly emphasize the same contentious issues highlighted on the website, aiming to sow discord among Democratic voters and potentially depress turnout.
BAF’s involvement in this elaborate scheme is not an isolated incident. The organization has a history of bankrolling initiatives designed to parody and impersonate Democrats. One prominent example is Citizens for Sanity, a dark money group heavily funded by BAF, which ran inflammatory ads targeting Democrats and progressive policies during the 2022 midterms. These ads, which reportedly received tens of millions of dollars from Elon Musk via BAF, often played on divisive issues like race, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights, and have been accused of attempting to suppress voter turnout among minority communities. This pattern of using emotionally charged issues to divide and disenfranchise voters raises serious concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.
The reach of BAF’s influence extends to a network of interconnected political action committees (PACs). FEC records reveal BAF’s substantial funding of groups like Future Coalition PAC, Duty to America PAC, and Stand For Us PAC. These PACs have engaged in targeted advertising campaigns designed to sway specific demographics, often employing divisive messaging on sensitive issues. Future Coalition PAC, for instance, ran ads highlighting Harris’s pro-Israel stance and her husband’s Jewish faith, which were criticized for containing antisemitic undertones. Duty to America PAC focused on young male and Black voters, attempting to persuade them to support Trump. Stand For Us PAC, meanwhile, targeted Republican primary candidates in Ohio with messaging linking a prescription drug program to immigration and transgender rights. This multifaceted approach demonstrates a calculated strategy to exploit wedge issues and manipulate public opinion.
BAF’s operations are shrouded in secrecy, utilizing fictitious names like "Americans for Consumer Protection" to further obscure its activities. One such campaign criticized the White House’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes, an effort reportedly aimed at eroding Harris’s support among Black voters in key swing states. This tactic of targeting specific demographics with tailored messaging underscores the sophistication and calculated nature of BAF’s operations. The lack of transparency surrounding BAF’s finances and activities makes it difficult to fully assess the extent of its influence, but the available evidence suggests a significant impact on the political landscape. The organization’s reliance on dark money, coupled with its deceptive tactics, raises fundamental questions about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process. As the 2024 election draws closer, it is crucial for voters to be aware of these covert influence campaigns and to critically evaluate the information they encounter. The future of American democracy may depend on it.