Applicants wanting to staff the White House in a second Donald Trump presidency will be screened for their political views, according to questionnaires circulating among MAGA allies.
The former president's allies used a "Research Questionnaire" in the final days of his first term, after most moderates and establishment conservatives had quit or been fired, and Axios obtained a copy of that document and another being compiled for a potential second term from an alumnus of the first Trump White House.
"What part of Candidate Trump's campaign message most appealed to you and why?" the 2020 questionnaire asked. "Briefly describe your political evolution. What thinkers, authors, books, or political leaders influenced you and led you to your current beliefs? What political commentator, thinker or politician best reflects your views?"
"Have you ever appeared in the media to comment on Candidate Trump, President Trump or other personnel or policies of the Trump Administration?" that document added.
The Heritage Foundation is assembling a Talent Database of more than 5,000 applicants so far for its Project 2025 effort to remake the federal government with MAGA loyalists, and its questionnaire drills down even further than the 2020 application.
"Name one person, past or present, who has most influenced the development of your political philosophy," the new questionnaire asks. "Name a book that has most significantly shaped your political philosophy, and please explain its influence on your thinking. Name one living public policy figure whom you greatly admire and why."
The Trump White House alumnus told Axios both documents were designed to determine "when you got red-pilled," or became a true believer, to test the sincerity of an applicant's MAGA credentials.
"They want to see that you're listening to Tucker, and not pointing to the Reagan revolution or any George W. Bush stuff," that person said.
