The Lincoln Project

The Lincoln Project is an American pro-democratic political action committee or PAC founded on December 17, 2019, in Washington, D.C and named after the 16th President of the , . It is composed of moderate conservatives and former Republican Party members who are against 45th President of the United States and Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump, MAGA (Make American Great Again) Republicans, and the political movement tied to the former President known as . The organization's objectives for 2020 were to prevent Trump from being reelected as President and to prevent incumbent Republican candidates that ally with him from winning reelection such as Senate elections that were held that same year. The primary goal in 2024 for The Lincoln Project is to stop Trump from winning the 2024 election and becoming President for the second time non-consecutively. 
== Background ==
The co-founders of The Lincoln Project are , John Weaver, , and Rick Wilson, all (except George) who were former workers of Republican political campaigns for the party leader and/or presidential candidates. Sarah Lenti was made the organization's executive director.On February 27, 2020, the Lincoln Project came to Cooper Union, New York City, the same place and the same month and day that President Lincoln gave an address on 1860. They came to give a speech that would tell the world about their plans to stop President Trump. The speeches would also publicly introduce other founders such as Jennifer Horn, Reed Galan, Ron Steslow, and Mike Madrid. The Lincoln Project would endorse Vice President and then-Democratic nominee for the 2020 Presidency (at the time) Joe Bidenin a means for Trump to not win the 2020 election which Biden won. The committee would get bigger overtime after these events as more members who were also apart of political campaigns and former Republic Party members would join. 
== YouTube history ==
=== Introduction ===
The channel for The Lincoln Project was created on January 6, 2020. 3 days later, "The MAGA Church" was posted. It starts off with a citing of Matthew 7:15, a bible scripture that is in the New Testament of the bible. Then it features a compilation of multiple Donald Trump remarks as well as remarks and quotes from others included that are tied to Christian faith. The video highlights some words that are said or quoted by putting the words on the video along with the name of the individual that quoted it. The video then concludes with "If this is the best American Christians can do?" and then "Then GOD help us all." 
=== Future content ===
After their first video, the channel would post more videos, shorts, and TV ads with the vast majority having Trump as its dishonorable main character, but the channel doesn't shy away from any other individuals. For instance, "Soviets" have the main focus on incumbent Russian President and his war on the country , and the video blames the Republican Party for aligning themselves with and its allies by not letting the United States give ammunition for Ukraine to fight back in the war. Additional content can include podcasts, "Last Week in the Republican Party" where the channel checks up on the party each previous week using news channels like Fox News or MSNBC, January 6th Committee hearings, speeches from The Lincoln Project founders, "Rick Reacts" which are reactions of certain political subjects from one of its co-founders Rick Wilson, positive President Joe Biden videos or endorsements, and more.
== Controversy ==
=== Rudy Giuliani's interview claim===
Trump lawyer claimed on a broadcast interview with that The Lincoln Project masterminded the but with no evidence to back this allegation. In response, the organization sent him a three-page letter on January 29, 2021, including threats to sue him for defamation and expected an apology by February 3. 
=== John Weaver ===
One of The Lincoln Project's co-founders, John Weaver in January 2021 was accused by several men of sending sexually explicit messages to them. In response, he would apologize for any discomfort he might've caused on what he thought were consensual and mutual discussions.The Lincoln Project responded saying that it needed to conduct an investigation but felt betrayed by Weaver because of these allegations. Some online critics claim that The Lincoln Project knew of the behavior of Weaver and did not address it earlier. These same allegations would also cause all founders to leave The Lincoln Project in February 2021. (with the exception of Rick Wilson who still serves as a board member) 
=== Steve Schmidt ===
Another co-founder, Steve Schmidt resigned from his position on the board and left The Lincoln Project amid Weaver's allegations and other reasons. He apologized to co-founder Jennifer Horn who wasn't a part of the organization anymore. Horn stated that she was yelled at and lied to, but The Lincoln Project said the previous week that she wanted a consulting contract deal worth $480,000 per year (though the quantity of years are not specified) with an additional $250,000 signing bonus. Schmidt had also released twitter messages between Horn and a reporter, but despite the statement and the release of those messages, Schmidt said that she deserved better.
=== Virginia tiki torch stunt ===
In October 2021, five people aligned with The Lincoln Project dressed up like the white supremacists who marched in the that happened in August 11, and 12, 2017 and carried tiki torches as they appeared next to a campaign bus of who was the Republican nominee for the 2021 Virginia governor race.People from his campaign accused his Democratic opponent and other Virginia Democrats as they believed they set this up. The Lincoln Project said that it was a demonstration of theirs to remind people that Youngkin is on Donald Trump's side and that he had failed to condemn a commentmade by Trump. This stunt however had a negative reaction on both the Democratic and Republican sides.
== Quotes ==
*"We entered the political arena with two stated objectives: first, to defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box in 2020. (Done.) The second was to ensure Trumpism failed alongside him. We understand that the real fight against Trumpism is just beginning, and we’re committed to seeing it through. Our democracy depends on it." - The Lincoln Project website
== Trivia ==
* The Lincoln Project has received $1 million dollar donations from billionaires Stephen Mandel and . 
*The Lincoln Project's weekly newsletter is named "Honestly Abe"
== References ==
Category: Commentary YouTubers
Category: News YouTubers
Category: Reaction YouTubers
Category: American YouTubers
Category: Users who joined in 2020
Category: One million subscribers