Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s promises include strict immigration laws, lower taxes, and reshaping federal agencies.
- Several actions align with the conservative Project 2025 plan from the Heritage Foundation. While some goals are in progress, others remain unfulfilled.
- Tracking Trump’s progress gives a clearer picture of his second-term agenda.
- Critics and supporters are both watching how his promise list compares to real results.
How Much Has Trump Delivered on His 2024 Campaign Promises?
Former President Donald Trump made a huge number of promises during his 2024 campaign. From rebuilding the economy to controlling the border, his goals grabbed attention from voters of all ages. As we move through 2025, people are asking — is Trump delivering on those bold campaign promises?
There’s a lot to unpack. Some of his goals were already in motion during his previous time in office, while others are part of new efforts. But how do these plans stack up, and what role does the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 play in all of this?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Were Trump’s Big 2024 Promises?
During his campaign, Trump focused his message around a few core ideas that fired up his base. These promises included:
– Securing the U.S.-Mexico border with tougher immigration laws
– Lowering taxes and reducing inflation
– Increasing energy independence by expanding drilling and pipelines
– Cutting down the size of the federal government
– Replacing civil servants with politically loyal appointees
– Fighting crime in major cities
– Ending “woke policies” in school and military training
Each of these plays directly to voters who want big changes to how the country is run. Many of these goals mirror ideas from Project 2025 — a conservative plan by the Heritage Foundation to overhaul the federal government with more traditionally right-wing ideas.
How Does Project 2025 Fit In?
Project 2025 isn’t an official Trump plan, but it lines up with much of what he said he wants to do. The Heritage Foundation designed Project 2025 to give conservatives a roadmap for reforming the government if they return to power. It includes key actions like:
– Dismantling federal agencies that conservatives see as bloated or overreaching
– Giving the president more power to fire government workers
– Replacing experts with people who follow conservative views
– Canceling liberal-leaning programs like climate change research or DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) efforts
Trump hasn’t officially endorsed every part of Project 2025, but his team and allies have drawn from it. That makes it a useful tool for tracking whether his 2024 promises are being put into practice.
Which Campaign Promises Has Trump Started Working On?
Immigration and Border Security
This is one of Trump’s favorite talking points, and since returning to office, he’s taken aggressive steps. Deportations have increased. He’s added new restrictions for immigrants at the southern border. The construction of the border wall has resumed in places where it was halted.
Although not finished, Trump’s actions match his promise to “secure the border.” It also echoes Project 2025’s tough stance on immigration enforcement.
Cutting Government Size
Trump’s team has started replacing federal workers in some departments. Through executive orders, he gave himself more power to remove certain government employees. This aligns with his promise to “drain the swamp” and stop what he calls the “deep state.”
This also matches Project 2025’s call to replace bureaucrats with loyal supporters of the president, especially in departments like Justice, Education, and Energy.
Energy Policies
Trump rolled back several climate regulations passed under President Biden. He also reopened offshore drilling permits and cut restrictions on fossil fuel projects.
Making the U.S. more energy independent was part of Trump’s pitch. So far, he has taken real steps toward this – although legal challenges may slow progress.
Which Promises Remain Unfulfilled?
Lowering Inflation and Taxes
This promise is harder to measure in the short term. Inflation is falling slightly, but not as quickly as voters may want. Trump called for major tax cuts, but no new tax law has passed Congress yet. With a divided legislature, this might take longer — or fail altogether.
Education and “Woke” Reforms
Trump strongly campaigned against what he called “wokeness” in schools and the military. He promised to defund DEI programs and make school curriculums more “patriotic.” So far, few of these efforts have turned into official policy.
Some states with Republican leadership have made changes based on his ideas, but at the federal level, actions have been limited.
Crime and Public Safety
Trump promised to boost police funding and control rising crime rates in large cities. While he has pushed for increased federal funding for law enforcement, crime stats vary based on the city.
This promise is still in progress, but voters may not see results quickly. Crime often depends on local policies, not just federal ones.
Has Trump Delivered on Everything He Said?
Not yet. Some of Trump’s 2024 campaign promises have moved forward quickly, especially when they involve executive orders or agency changes. Others require laws that must pass through Congress, which slows down the process.
For example, changing tax laws or remaking education policy needs approval from lawmakers — and not everyone in Congress agrees with Trump’s ideas. That makes it harder to fully deliver every campaign pledge.
Still, Trump has shown that he’s serious about following through — especially on issues like immigration, energy, and reshaping how the government works.
What Do Critics Say?
Critics of Trump say his focus on gutting federal departments and prioritizing loyalty over experience could harm democracy. They also worry about programs like Project 2025 giving one person too much power.
Supporters argue that these steps are needed to fix what they see as wasteful and unfair government practices. For them, Trump’s ability to “shake up Washington” is a feature — not a bug.
Time will tell whether the changes Trump is now making will last or face roadblocks in courts, Congress, or future elections.
Why Should You Care?
Tracking campaign promises isn’t just about politics — it’s about understanding how government impacts real life. Taxes, gas prices, school lessons, even TikTok bans all come down to choices made by leaders based on promises they made during campaigns.
By comparing Trump’s goals with what he’s actually done, voters can decide if he’s kept his word and whether they agree with his direction for the country.
No matter your political view, knowing who’s doing what helps you make smarter choices in the future.
FAQs
Which of Trump’s 2024 promises has he kept so far?
He has made progress on immigration policy, reducing climate regulations, and replacing government officials. However, tax cuts and education reforms are still pending.
What is Project 2025, and how is Trump involved?
Project 2025 is a conservative roadmap for reshaping the federal government. While not officially Trump’s plan, many of its ideas align with his policies.
Is Trump changing federal departments?
Yes, in some areas. He’s taken steps to give himself more power over hiring and firing in key agencies, a move which aligns with his goal of reducing government size.
Will Trump lower taxes this time?
He says he will, but so far, the necessary tax reforms have not passed through Congress. It may take longer or face strong resistance.