Trump Administration’s $20 Million Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Campaign

The White House has launched a multi-million-dollar advertising effort that uses federal funds to produce and place at least 13 campaign-style spots promoting President Donald Trump and his policies. The ads, ranging from 15 seconds to three minutes, feature themes such as “God Made Trump,” “King of the Jungle,” “UFC 250,” “Resilience,” and “Military Hype.” They have aired on major networks—including CBS, CNN, Fox News, and others—and some remain unreleased.

CNN

Two Trump advisers said the videos are created in-house by the White House video team, part of the communications office, though at least one spot was produced by a pro-Trump meme group. The content blends patriotic imagery (military flyovers, Mount Rushmore fireworks) with overtly political elements, such as the “King of the Jungle” ad that juxtaposes Trump with Democratic figures — Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Gavin Newsom — and the “God Made Trump” spot that frames the president as a messianic figure. Other ads highlight the president’s involvement in a White House-hosted UFC fight, his February speech announcing the war with Iran, and a montage of his personal and political milestones.

CNN

A leading ad-tracking firm, AdImpact, estimates that $2.5 million in taxpayer dollars have already been spent, while a total of $20 million has been allocated for the effort. The money is drawn from Customs and Border Protection, according to two sources familiar with the funding stream. Because public-service announcements are subject to different disclosure rules than campaign ads, the full cost cannot be precisely determined.

CNN

The White House defends the spots as public-service announcements, arguing they serve a legitimate informational purpose. Congressional reaction has been sharply critical. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the use of taxpayer dollars “not an appropriate PSA,” and Senator John Cornyn said the ads are “not even a close question” regarding proper spending. No comment was obtained from the White House for this report.

CNN

• “Look, if you want to spend money out of your super PAC or other campaign account to communicate that message, that’s fine. It’s not an appropriate PSA. It’s just not, you know, it’s not how we should be spending taxpayer dollars,” — Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina

CNN

• “This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces,” — The Trump, to promote president

CNN