College football fans at four high-profile games in Week 2 are going to see something very different in the skies over stadiums in key battleground states. The Democratic National Committee will fly planes carrying banners that remind fans of the connection between the Republican presidential ticket and Project 2025, while also making fun of J.D. Vance in Michigan.
The DNC supplied SB Nation with the following creatives for their four banner planes, which are poised to fly over Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Georgia’s Sanford Field, Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, and Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
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Texas vs. Michigan: “JD Vance [heart] Ohio State + Project 2025”
Bowling Green vs. Penn State: “Penn St: Beat Trump, Sack Project 2025”
Tennessee Tech vs. Georgia: “Bulldogs: Beat Trump, Sack Project 2025”
South Dakota vs. Wisconsin: “Jump Around! Beat Trump + Project 2025”
It’s part of the DNC’s plan for November that involves trying to boost voter turnout among college students, while also reminding fans of the controversial “Project 2025,” which the Trump campaign has attempted to distance itself from. Written by The Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 outlined a blueprint for the country assuming a second Trump presidential term. Vox.com has a full breakdown of what Project 2025 could mean for the United States, and why it’s so troubling.
Legal experts have expressed dire concerns with Project 2025 and its overt aim of steering the United States towards authoritarianism. Public outcry over the document led to Donald Trump claiming The Heritage Foundation plan wasn’t representative of his platform, while also saying he knew nothing of Project 2025. This came despite extensive links between Trump and The Heritage Foundation, which was fundamental to his first presidential term.
Now the DNC is targeting four key battleground states, with Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin being critical to deciding the November election. The DNC explained their motivation for targeting these college football games in a statement given to SB Nation by Abhi Rahman, DNC Deputy Communications Director.
“It’s college football Saturday, and fans are ready to sack the competition and beat Project 2025, which would give Trump unprecedented power, allow Trump to ban abortion nationwide, allow the government to monitor pregnancies, and give tax giveaways for billionaires. The DNC is reaching voters where they are in swing states across the country by flying Project 2025 banners over the Big House in Michigan, Sanford Stadium in Georgia, Beaver Stadium at Penn State, and Camp Randall Stadium in Wisconsin. These banners carry a message that resonates with fans, and reminds them that the most important contest is still to come in November. The contrast in this election couldn’t be clearer, and we have a winning playbook: tackle Project 2025, make a goal-line stand, and drive 99 yards the other way towards a more just and equal America for all.”
Rahman says the first banners will begin to fly over the noon slate of games, and will continue throughout the day.
