White House defends taxpayer-funded pro-Trump TV ads as 'public service announcements' amid bipartisan criticism

The White House spent days defending three taxpayer-funded advertisements that glorify President Trump, airing during NFL games and costing nearly $1.5 million. The ads were paid for with money Congress appropriated for border security, drug trafficking efforts, and memorials. One ad was nearly identical to a 2024 Trump campaign ad, with the call to action removed and 'Paid for by the U.S. Government' added. Democratic appropriators sent a letter demanding the ads be pulled, calling them illegal propaganda violating the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Even Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, said the message shouldn't be paid for by taxpayers. The White House insisted the ads are public service announcements, not campaign ads, because Trump is not on the midterm ballot.

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