Michelle ThompsonTop advisers to Donald Trump are working on revamping the Republican Party platform, aiming to significantly reduce its length and center it around Trump’s agenda for a second term.
In a memo dated Thursday, Trump campaign managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles criticized previous platforms for being too lengthy and heavily influenced by special interests. They proposed a “clear, concise, and easily digestible” platform to make it easier for voters to understand and harder for opponents to attack.
The memo stated that an overly verbose platform would give opponents more opportunities for misinformation and misrepresentation, and emphasized the need for a streamlined platform that aligns with Trump’s vision for America’s future. This memo was obtained by CNN and first reported by The New York Times.
The most recent platform, created in 2016 and reapproved in 2020, is 66 pages long. A person familiar with the planning mentioned that the new platform aims to be a much shorter document, around a couple of dozen pages, written in clear language and reflecting Trump’s key priorities.
Previously, platform committee meetings attracted lobbyists and special interest groups seeking to insert specific items for their clients. LaCivita and Wiles expressed their desire for a platform free from Washington jargon and lobbyist influence.
The memo has caused concern among conservative groups, particularly anti-abortion organizations, who worry that Trump might remove the platform’s commitment to a federal abortion ban and an amendment granting the unborn the same rights as people. A Trump ally involved in the anti-abortion movement emphasized that removing the pro-life language could risk dividing the party.
The existing platform also opposes same-sex marriage and new gun restrictions, and proposes changes to Medicare and Social Security for people under 55, some of which have been used by Democrats in recent election campaigns.
Trump’s campaign is keenly aware of how Democrats have used the GOP platform against them and seeks to avoid a lengthy document with potential pitfalls for Trump.
The memo highlights the opportunity to make the party’s vision clear and reject special interest influences, thereby laying out a framework for policymaking.
By setting these plans in motion before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Trump’s campaign is asserting his control over the party. This year, Trump has already replaced the previous party chair, Ronna McDaniel, and installed allies such as his daughter-in-law Lara Trump and North Carolina GOP leader Michael Whatley in top positions.
The platform committee, led by Trump allies Randy Evans, Russell Vought, and Ed Martin, will meet behind closed doors before the convention begins on July 15. Unlike previous years, these deliberations will not be broadcast by C-SPAN.
Emily Martinez
