How to Talk to Your Apathetic Cousin About Project 2025

Democrats have been loud and clear about Project 2025, forewarning everyone who will listen about the sweeping, devastating impacts at the heart of Trump’s plans for a second term. Though Trump denies it, his policies and money trail line up with the Heritage Foundation’s blueprints for disaster.

Trump’s Project 2025 isn’t some distant agenda; it’s a game-changing pandora’s box that only you, your friends, family, and neighbors’ votes can close for good. So, how do you talk to someone — like your cousin — who shrugs it off, thinking it doesn’t affect them? (Especially when they’re part of the demographic that could swing the 2024 election.)

Here's a couple points to make it easier to persuade that one family member who needs a little push to care — even if it's only about how Trump's presidency would directly impact them.

Public Education

Your apathetic college-educated cousin says: “I’m busy enough with school, plus I don’t have enough time to get informed either way.”

You say: Project 2025 slashes funding for low-income students, cutting Pell Grants and parent PLUS loans that millions rely on. Goodbye to student loan forgiveness and vital programs like Head Start, which serve 833,000 low-income children. You’ll wish you took five minutes to look into these plans when the Department of Education is slashed in the first 90 days, come a Trump presidency.

Department of Justice

Your apathetic employed cousin says: “As long as I'm getting paid, I don't care.”

You say: Project 2025 will strip back the Department of Justice’s power, making it easier for corporations to cut your wages, evade overtime, and escape accountability. What about workers’ protections and safety? They’ll be gone.

Environment 

Your apathetic cousin says: “We’re all doomed anyway, what’s the difference when it comes to the environment?”

You say: Project 2025 supports the U.S. stepping away from all climate protection policies! Texas is already one of the most threatened states in America, and another Trump presidency plans on polluting your environment with no risks, including whole-scale deregulation. We are already drowning in the effects of unregulated oil and gas production.From Hurricane Helene’s havoc in North Carolina, to Hurricane Beryl’s impacts right here at home along the Texas Gulf Coast, we have an interest to ensure that our communities are considered when weighing the  high and long term costs of oil and gas profits over the people.

Trump doesn’t care if you see the impacts of climate change first. With scientists predicting more disasters in our future, Project 2025 ironically proposes to disassemble or defund the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Hurricane Center. 

Abortion

Your apathetic cousin says: “Shouldn’t this be up to each state?”

You say: Trump’s frequent flip-flopping on abortion reveals his true intentions. Not only has he circulated dangerous misinformation, falsely claiming that late-term abortions in the ninth month are common, but he has also refused to rule out the possibility of a national abortion ban. This is extremely dangerous considering that we’ve seen a movement across the nation from far-right leaders to control women's bodies and those who can become pregnant. 

When it comes down to it, everyone is at risk when we limit access to reproductive freedoms-- even you. Every American is only one romance, or unthinkably, one rape, away from not just a forced pregnancy, but a scenario that hightens your risk of not being able to receive life-saving medical care. Pregnant Texans have been turned away from hospitals during pregnancy complications, and had to flee our state for life-saving care.

Conclusions for Your Cousin

Project 2025 doesn’t have to be our future. Vice President Kamala Harris has a bold plan to save us from it and lift up American families. Harris aims to build 3 million homes in four years, tackling high rent and housing inflation with $25,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time buyers. 

Harris’ healthcare vision will include capping drug costs, expanding affordable health marketplaces. With a federal ban on grocery price gouging, Harris’s “opportunity economy” plan protects families from corporate greed. She will also restore the $3,600 federal child tax credit and boost the Earned Income Tax Credit to bring much-needed relief to 100 million Americans. To pay for this, it’s time billionaires finally pay their fair share.

The Harris-Walz vision puts people first and is grounded in real, lasting change. From affordable homes to fair wages, accessible healthcare, and protecting families, they’re fighting to create a future where everyone can thrive — not just the privileged few. It’s your opportunity to rally the vote. “We are not going back!”

What's Next:

• Early Voting begins Monday, October 21! Don’t forget to build your voting plan using our voter navigation website, GoVoteTexas.org, now available in Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, and Hindi (to fill in the TX SOS' purposeful gap)!
• Review the Progress Texas November Endorsements and corresponding staff editorials to prepare for your ballot selections today.