Lincoln Project To Celebrate America’s 250th; Contrasts Lincoln With Trump

The Lincoln Project Launches Campaign Celebrating Lincoln’s Legacy Ahead of U.S. Semiquincentennial

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2026 — The Lincoln Project announced today the launch of a multimedia campaign highlighting Abraham Lincoln’s leadership as a counterpoint to what the organization describes as divisive and anti-democratic rhetoric associated with former President Donald Trump.

As part of the nation’s observance of its 250th anniversary, the campaign—titled “Lincoln: The Architect of Liberty”—will feature a series of five video advertisements and a companion podcast beginning Friday. The initiative aims to contrast Lincoln’s commitment to democratic principles, unity, and moral progress with what the group characterizes as destructive governance under Trump.

The first advertisement, “House Divided,” was released this evening. The three-minute video revisits Lincoln’s 1858 speech accepting the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, in which he warned that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” The ad frames the speech as a warning against political extremism and polarization, themes the Lincoln Project says resonate today.

“Abraham Lincoln reinvigorated American liberty, destroyed slavery, and set the nation on a moral course that still survives today,” said Tessa Gould, Executive Director of the Lincoln Project. “Meanwhile, Trump is tearing down the true foundations of American success: democracy and independence.”

The campaign continues with a scheduled release of four additional short films and a podcast series featuring commentary from historians and civic leaders. The lineup includes:

- “Better Angels,” to be released Friday, June 26, focusing on Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address in 1861, emphasizing his call for unity amid secession.
- “Lincoln vs. Trump,” scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, which highlights Lincoln’s legislative achievements during the Civil War—such as the Homestead Act, Morrill Act, and creation of the National Academy of Sciences—contrasted with what the project describes as Trump’s dismantling of institutions in peacetime.
- “Suckers and Losers,” slated for Thursday, July 2, centered on Lincoln’s 1864 letter to a grieving mother who lost five sons in the war, a stark contrast to reports from the Trump administration regarding military personnel.
- “Character,” set for Saturday, July 4, the nation’s actual 250th anniversary, which compiles Lincoln’s writings across his life, culminating in the line: “Two hundred and fifty years. This is our test.”

The Lincoln Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending democratic norms, stated the campaign seeks to remind Americans of Lincoln’s enduring ideals during a period of political division. While the group does not endorse political candidates, it positions itself as a voice for democratic renewal.

For more information about The Lincoln Project or to view the advertisements, visit lincolnproject.us. The organization did not respond to requests for independent verification of viewer engagement metrics or campaign impact.