WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republicans have criticized the use of taxpayer money for television ads featuring President Donald Trump, even as the White House defends them as public service announcements.
“It’s a great message. I like the message, but it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Thune told reporters Monday. Sen. Mike Rounds, also of South Dakota, said he would not have approved the ads. Asked whether the spending was appropriate, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said, “It’s not even a close question.”
Three ads have aired ahead of the November midterm elections. Each ends with the disclaimer “Paid for by the U.S. Government.” The latest shows Trump walking down a hallway while a recording of his voice describes a “final battle” against the “deep state” and other opponents. It closely resembles a video from his 2024 presidential campaign, which included campaign contact information that the new version omits.
The other ads feature Trump speaking about defeating communism and praising the United States during an appearance at Mount Rushmore. The spots have aired during network programs and football games. AdImpact, a firm that tracks advertising, estimated their airtime cost at more than $1.4 million as of Monday. The White House has not identified which agency is paying for them.
The White House says the ads promote patriotism and do not ask viewers to vote for a candidate. It cited government advertising under previous presidents, including campaigns about Medicare, health insurance enrollment and COVID-19 vaccination. Trump is not on the ballot in November.
Democratic lawmakers and some legal experts have questioned whether the spending violates restrictions on government-funded publicity and political activity. No legal finding has established that the ads violate those rules. Democrats on congressional appropriations committees have asked the White House to remove the ads and disclose how much the government spent to produce and air them.
