White House Uses Taxpayer Funds for Pro-Trump Ads Ahead of Midterms

The White House has aired a series of 30-second television spots that promote former President Donald Trump’s political agenda. The advertisement was originally produced for Trump’s 2024 election campaign and was posted on his Truth Social account in 2023-2024 with fundraising appeals.

The Guardian

The campaign follows a precedent set earlier in the year when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared in a $220 million series of government-funded commercials that highlighted her public image. Senator John Kennedy publicly rebuked that spending, calling it “masterclass dumb.” Legal scholars, including Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, have warned that government employees who helped create the first pro-Trump ad could have violated the Hatch Act, which bars partisan use of federal resources.

The Guardian

The White House describes the spots as “public service announcements.” Senator Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, said there “ought to be a rule”—and “probably is a rule”—preventing the use of public money to promote individual politicians. He also argued for a rule barring living politicians from having federal buildings named after them, noting that such a statute exists in his home state.

The Guardian

• “Our viewers are going to see a 30-second commercial on this program,” — Margaret Brennan, *The Guardian* “Our viewers are going to see a 30-second commercial on this program,” — Margaret Brennan

The Guardian

• “This looks like a commercial about President Trump,” — Margaret Brennan, *The Guardian* “This looks like a commercial about President Trump,” — Margaret Brennan

The Guardian

• “I also think that we ought to have a rule that no politician can have a building named after him while he’s alive,” — John Kennedy, US senator, *The Guardian* “I also think that we ought to have a rule that no politician can have a building named after him while he’s alive,” — John Kennedy, US senator

The Guardian