In October 2023, Grace Carter, an 18-year-old college freshman, received a message on Instagram from the conservative dating app The Right Stuff. The message came from John McEntee, a former aide to Donald Trump and co-founder of the app. He offered her merchandise, which caught her interest. However, their conversations quickly turned uncomfortable, with McEntee inviting her to visit him in Los Angeles multiple times.
McEntee, a former official in the Trump administration, had a controversial past involving issues with his security clearance and taxes. Despite this, he returned to the White House in 2020 and later joined Project 2025 as a senior adviser. Project 2025 is a plan for a second Trump administration that includes rolling back rights for women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and racial minorities, among other policy proposals.
Additionally, McEntee was the face of The Right Stuff, a conservative dating app that faced criticism for its male-dominated user base. Despite this, the app gained popularity online, with McEntee featured in videos offering conservative commentary. When Carter was contacted by McEntee, she was surprised given her leftist social media presence. Despite initially engaging with McEntee for a free hoodie, she felt uncomfortable with his advances and declined his offers to visit him.
After McEntee’s controversial video post following a presidential debate, Carter decided to share her experience with him, prompting other young women to come forward with similar stories. One young woman, who chose to remain anonymous, detailed her sexually explicit conversations with McEntee, including inappropriate comments about her age and appearance. She, like Carter, was encouraged to visit McEntee in California but eventually stopped communicating with him due to discomfort.
These allegations raise concerns about McEntee’s behavior and influence as a public figure. His history of hiring young women during his time at the White House has also drawn scrutiny. As discussions about a potential second Trump administration continue, it is essential to consider the character and actions of individuals like McEntee who may play significant roles in future political endeavors.
If you have any information regarding John McEntee or Project 2025, you can contact the reporter at vittoria_elliott@wired.com or via secure text on the Signal app at 267-713-9832. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
