The Lincoln Project

Lincoln Project Rated Center in May 2025 Editorial Review

Panelists on the left, center, and right rated The Lincoln Project as Center on average in May 2025; however, there was much discussion about the proper rating for the organization. A panelist on the right thought Lean Left would be appropriate; another right panelist argued Center or Lean Right; still other panelists on the left and in the center argued for a Center rating. The average of all ratings was Center.

The panelists agreed that rather than stating explicit policy positions it endorses, the Lincoln Project typically focuses on oppposing Donald Trump. Whether or not an anti-Trump position is Lean Left, Center, or Lean Right was up for debate, especially since the Lincoln Project is made up of some people who say they are Republican. The panels noted the organization is often unclear about what specific policies it would support, and primarily makes clear it opposes Trump and his administration. 

• A reviewer on the right argued The Lincoln Project is Lean Left, noting it endorsed Kamala Harris and "uses Lean Left language" such as calling January 6 an "insurrection" and using the word "Trumpism." They noted the Lincoln Project was "repeatedly positioning Trump as a threat to democracy, which is a Lean Left move. This includes on its homepage," which read at the time: "WE’RE HERE TO STOP TRUMP, BREAK MAGA, AND SAVE AMERICA. ARE YOU IN? The Lincoln Project is a leading pro-democracy organization in the United States — dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy. Our fight against Trumpism is only beginning. We must combat these forces everywhere and at all times — our democracy depends on it."
• A reviewer with a Center bias stated that "not everything anti-Trump is left," to which a reviewer on the right stated, "By that token, why is everything pro-Trump equated with the right? A lot of views from MAGA actually sound old school liberal, like being against Big Pharma and in favor of labor protectionism."
• Another reviewer on the right disagreed the Lincoln Project is Lean Left and stated, "They are pro-democracy conservatives. They were founded to counter Trump. To have a group of Republicans organized against trump. I don't think their mission is to promote policy positions it's to argue why Trump is fundamentally unaligned with the Constitution and democracy. They are pro law and order, pro-Constitution. They just don't see Trump as representing those values."
• A Lean Left reviewer stated, "I think that Trump has indeed changed the definition of what it is to be "Right," so I don't think a Lean Left rating for the Lincoln Project would be the end of the world. But I do think Center is more appropriate in this case because they really are a one-issue coalition, and that one issue has much support in the center."
• A Center reviewer stated, "I agree anti-Trump is not Left, but if they only focus on being anti-Trump and do not otherwise express conservative values, Center may be best because Lean Right doesn't make sense if they don't actually talk about LR views."

The Lincoln Project writes: "Our efforts are aimed at persuading enough disaffected conservatives, Republicans and Republican-leaning independents in swing states and districts to help ensure a victory in the Electoral College and majorities that don’t enable and abet Trump’s violations of the constitution; even if that means Democrat control of the Senate and expansion of the Democratic majority in the House."

The Project also states, "our many policy differences with national Democrats remain, but our shared fidelity to the Constitution dictates a common effort." A Lean Right reviewer stated the Project "does not explain which specific differences they have with Democrats."

Content reviewed included:

• Questions For Gabbard’s Hearing: Hold Her Feet To The Fire
• Lincoln Project: We Cannot Allow a Rewrite of J6 History
• Tulsi Gabbard: A Security Nightmare
• Lincoln Project Blasts Hegseth Nomination
• West Wing Cast Members Reunite To Endorse Harris In New Ad And Statement
• Fathers: Your Vote Determines Her Rights
• We Are Republicans and We Want Trump Defeated
• The Lincoln Project: Press Release: Statement from The Lincoln Project
• The Lincoln Project: An Idea Called America