Live from the RNC: Republicans Are Acting Like They’ve Already Won

“We hear all the talk about what’s going to happen with Joe Biden,” Minnesota governor Tim Walz told reporters during the conference. “The good thing is, with the Republicans, they don’t have much division within their party. They bend the knee and look up to someone who told us that the election was stolen. Someone who overturned Roe v. Wade. Somebody who told us he didn’t know anything about NATO as he puts all of our futures at risk.”

In recent weeks, Democrats have seen some success in tying Trump to Project 2025, even if Biden hasn’t done a whole lot of talking about it. And Democrats might be losing ground here. Despite voters becoming increasingly aware of Project 2025, Republicans don’t seem scared that it will hurt their reelection chances. Instead, GOP operatives and anonymous X users are trying to turn the entire project into a meme.

“Under project 2025 we’re putting zyn trucks on every street corner,” Logan Hall, who does digital work for The Blaze, posted last week.

“Project 2025 will bring back mcdonalds outdoor playgrounds,” wrote an account with wojacks on its profile header.

If they’re not making fun of Project 2025, the Republican Party has seemingly forgotten all about it (or never even heard of it). And after spending the better part of the Biden administration fighting off indictments and scandals, the GOP is finally where it wants to be: partying like none of it ever even happened, and preparing for victory.

The Chatroom

Once I get back from Milwaukee, I’m setting aside some time to think about how to make this newsletter even better. So much has changed in the few short months since we’ve launched WIRED Politics Lab, so I figured it would be a good time to take a step back and reflect.

I’d love for you to send me some feedback. What do you enjoy most about the newsletter? What stinks? Is there anything you’d like to see from me? Seriously, I’m all ears! Leave a comment on the site, or send me an email at [email protected].

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What Else We’re Reading

🔗 Trump on What He’d Do With Taxes, Tariffs, Jerome Powell, and More: In a lengthy interview with Bloomberg, Trump promises not to ban TikTok or pardon himself if he’s reelected in November. (Bloomberg)

🔗 New $299 Trump Sneakers Show Ex-President in Aftermath of Shooting: Trump’s sneaker game is expanding after Saturday, making available for purchase a new pair of shoes donning the infamous shooting image. (Axios)

🔗 How a Network of Tech Billionaires Helped J.D. Vance Leap Into Power: From his relationship with Peter Thiel to his background in Silicon Valley, New York Times reporters Ryan Mac and Teddy Schleifer lay out how Vance won Trump’s favor. (New York Times)

The Download

I’m back on the WIRED Politics Lab podcast this week with Leah and David discussing conspiracies surrounding the shooting, calls for violence, Vance as VP, the RNC, and everything else from the last few days.

Thanks again for subscribing. You can get in touch with me via email, Instagram, X, and Signal at makenakelly.32. And for real, let me know what you love and what you could lose in this newsletter. See you next week!