The Lincoln Project
The Lincoln Project is an American political action committee (PAC) started in December 2019 by a group of conservative Republicans who opposed Donald Trump and Trumpism. Its goal is to defeat Trump and his allies in elections.
Founders and name
- Key founders include George Conway, Steve Schmidt, John Weaver, Rick Wilson, Jennifer Horn, Ron Steslow, Reed Galen, and Mike Madrid.
- The group’s name honors Abraham Lincoln.
What it does
- The Lincoln Project works to prevent Trump’s re-election and to beat Trump-supporting Republicans.
- In April 2020, they endorsed Democrat Joe Biden for president.
- From 2022 to 2024, they shifted to opposing Trump again in the 2024 election and endorsed Kamala Harris. After Trump won, the group started focusing on criticizing his second term.
How it started and grew
- The project announced on December 17, 2019, with a New York Times op-ed by several founders.
- It became known for sharp political ads that challenged Trump and his allies.
- The group grew to more than 40 staff members and dozens of interns.
Funding and reach
- The Lincoln Project raised and spent tens of millions of dollars during the 2019–2020 cycle (about $87 million raised and $82 million spent, per OpenSecrets).
- Much of the money came from individuals, including some small donors who gave $200 or less.
- Donors also included high-profile names and some major progressive groups. A portion of funds went to firms run by the group’s leaders.
Advertising and impact
- The Lincoln Project produced many widely watched TV ads aimed at discrediting Trump, including Unfit, Mourning in America, Flag of Treason, Mattis, #TrumpIsNotWell, Tulsa, Chyna, Bounty, Betrayed, and Fellow Traveler.
- They also launched a podcast and collaborated with celebrities on some ads.
- Supporters praised the ads for being timely, sharp, and effective at getting Trump’s attention. Critics said the ads were sometimes harsh, sensational, or more about virality than convincing voters.
Controversies and leadership changes
- In 2020, Kellyanne Conway left her White House role, and George Conway stepped back from daily involvement.
- In 2020–2021, co-founder John Weaver faced sexual misconduct allegations published by The New York Times. The group condemned the behavior and announced an external investigation; several leaders left the organization in 2021, including Jennifer Horn, Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and later Steve Schmidt.
- Weaver apologized; the group said it would address the misconduct but faced ongoing internal tensions over power and money.
- The Lincoln Project also threatened to sue Rudy Giuliani for defamation in 2021 over false claims about the group’s involvement in the January 6 events.
Reception and analysis
- Opinions about the group are mixed. Some political observers praised the ads for their energy and effectiveness in shaping the conversation and press coverage. Others criticized the approach as aggressive, personal, or not clearly moving enough voters.
- Some commentators argued the group helped shift the Republican debate, while others questioned its overall impact on the 2020 election and the GOP’s direction.
Today
- The Lincoln Project remains active as a critic of Trump and Trumpism, with a continued focus on political ads, messaging, and influencing public discourse.
- Its legacy is debated: supporters see it as a necessary, principled stand for democracy; critics say it sometimes prioritized style over durable political change.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:40 (CET).