New Political Group Targets Trump in Early 2026 Midterm Salvo

VARIOUS LOCATIONS – January 09, 2026 – The 2026 midterm election cycle has roared to an unexpectedly early start as a newly formed organization, the Patriot Principles Project, launched a multi-state billboard campaign directly targeting former President Donald Trump on issues of corruption, inflation, and healthcare. The high-visibility ads, which began appearing this week in key congressional swing districts in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, signal a new front in the battle for control of Congress.

The campaign kicked off with billboards branding Trump with "corruption" linked to economic pressures and healthcare costs. According to a press release from the group, the initiative is designed to sway voters in crucial upcoming races. "Polls consistently show President Trump underwater on inflation and cost of living," said Eric Lane, the organization's President. "Our messaging has been tested, and we're confident it will move the needle in key Congressional races in 2026."

This aggressive, early-cycle move by a previously unknown group raises immediate questions about the forces shaping the political landscape and the strategies that will define the next two years of campaigning.

A Calculated Strike on Battleground Turf

The Patriot Principles Project's choice of locations reveals a highly strategic and data-driven approach. The billboards are not placed randomly but are concentrated in some of the nation's most politically volatile territories, districts that could prove decisive in determining the majority in the House of Representatives.

In Pennsylvania, two billboards focused on the theme "Trump Corruption – Inflation" have been erected. One is located on I-78 in Allentown, within Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, a perennial swing district known for its competitive elections and mix of suburban and working-class voters sensitive to economic messaging. The second billboard stands along I-83 in Harrisburg, the heart of Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District. While this district has recently leaned Republican, it remains competitive, and its suburban voters are a key demographic for both parties.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, a billboard with the message "Trump Corruption – Healthcare" now overlooks a major thoroughfare in Eau Claire. This city is a population center within Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, a classic "purple" district that has flipped between parties and is considered a top-tier battleground. The focus on healthcare in this region, which includes a mix of rural and industrial areas, is a clear attempt to tap into a long-standing voter concern. The billboards are slated to run through February 1, ensuring a full month of exposure at the very outset of the election year.

The Mystery Behind the Message

While the group's message is loud and clear, the organization itself is shrouded in mystery. The Patriot Principles Project officially launched this week, and its public-facing statements describe a mission to "uphold the fundamental tenets that bind our nation" and "empower highly capable leaders." However, beyond its president, Eric Lane, its leadership, structure, and, most importantly, its funding sources remain opaque.

Public databases such as the FEC's campaign finance portal and OpenSecrets.org currently show no detailed filings for the "Patriot Principles Project." This lack of transparency is characteristic of politically active non-profits, often structured as 501(c)(4) "social welfare" organizations. Under federal law, these groups can engage in significant political activity, including issue advocacy ads like the current billboard campaign, without being required to disclose their donors. This has led to them being dubbed "dark money" groups by campaign finance watchdogs.

The organization's own website offers lofty language about perpetuating the legacy of a "pioneering leader" and advancing "the next great visionary," but provides no specifics on who these individuals might be. This ambiguity makes it difficult to ascertain the ultimate political agenda or ideological alignment behind the significant financial expenditure on the billboard campaign. The group appears distinct from other similarly named entities, such as the conservative American Principles Project, adding another layer of complexity for those trying to trace the money and motive behind this new political player.

A Two-Front War: Billboards and Digital Outreach

The Patriot Principles Project is not merely relying on old-school tactics. The physical billboards serve as the public face of a broader, integrated campaign that extends into the digital realm. Each billboard directs viewers to a dedicated website, www.trumpiscorrupt.org, which presumably aims to provide evidence and arguments to substantiate the blunt claims made on the roadside signs. This dual strategy of using traditional media to drive online engagement is a common tactic in modern political warfare, designed to capture attention in the physical world and convert it into deeper digital interaction.

Further complicating the picture is the revelation that this anti-Trump campaign is not the only operation the group launched this week. Simultaneously, the Patriot Principles Project initiated a second, distinct campaign in North Carolina. Billboards in Wilmington and Winston-Salem are reportedly targeting issues of immigration and Christian values, directing passersby to a different website, www.CrueltyIsNotChristian.org.

This two-pronged approach suggests a highly sophisticated and well-funded organization capable of tailoring different messages to different regional and demographic concerns. While the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin campaigns focus on economic and healthcare anxieties tied to a specific political figure, the North Carolina effort appears designed to engage a different set of voters on cultural and faith-based issues. This multi-faceted strategy indicates that the Patriot Principles Project is not a single-issue entity but a broader political operation with a complex and calculated agenda for influencing the 2026 elections across multiple fronts. The full scope of its digital presence, across its two distinct websites and associated social media, will be critical to understanding its long-term goals and its ability to build a sustained movement.

The launch of these campaigns more than 20 months before Election Day represents a significant escalation of the political timeline. By planting a flag this early, the Patriot Principles Project is betting that a sustained, high-visibility campaign can shape the narrative and influence voter perceptions long before the traditional campaign season begins. Whether this early investment will "move the needle," as its president predicts, or simply fade into the background noise of an increasingly saturated political environment remains to be seen.