Project 2025 Officially Moves From ‘Conspiracy Theory’ to ‘Shutdown Strategy’ — Nation Wonders What’s Next on the Menu

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the campaign trail, Project 2025 was dismissed as paranoia—a right-wing blueprint that Trump swore he had “nothing to do with.” On Thursday, it edged closer to official policy. In the middle of a government shutdown, the president met with Project 2025 architect Russ Vought to map out which agencies and programs could be gutted under the cover of a federal crisis.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity,” Trump posted on Truth Social, describing government agencies as “scams” and hinting at irreversible cuts. Vought, once dismissed as a behind-the-scenes ideologue, now stands center stage, weighing which parts of the federal government to eliminate first.

Vought has already blocked billions in transit and energy projects, calling it the start of a broader “maximum pain” campaign. The result is a shutdown functioning less as gridlock and more as Project 2025 in motion—using crisis itself as the tool.

What was once brushed off as a “conspiracy theory” or simply a “far-right fantasy” is now being enacted in real time. Federal workers are the first course. Social programs may be the second. The rest of the country is left wondering how long the menu runs—and whether there’s anything left when the bill arrives.