Trump Involved in Creation of Taxpayer-Funded Ads Highlighting His Administration
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A source said President Donald Trump personally directed the development of government-funded video advertisements that promote his policies, prompting bipartisan criticism and questions about their legality.
President Donald Trump is reported to have personally overseen the production of taxpayer-funded video advertisements that promote his administration’s policies, a source familiar with the effort told CNN. Two senior advisers said the ads were produced by the White House video team, which is part of the communications office responsible for public messaging.
The ads, which began airing in early September and have been shown during NFL broadcasts, depict Trump in a warrior-like role and echo language from his recent speeches. One version mirrors a video Trump posted on his social-media platform in January, featuring his voice describing a "final battle" against perceived enemies.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the ads convey a strong message but should not be financed with taxpayer money, and Republican Senator John Cornyn expressed a similar view. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin warned that using government resources for political promotion could constitute a felony and a possible Hatch Act violation for any federal employees involved.
The White House defended the spots as public-service announcements, likening them to past government messages on Medicare, health care and COVID-19 vaccinations, and emphasized that they are intended to remind Americans of national values. A White House spokesperson described the ads as “educational and unapologetically patriotic.”
Several members of Trump’s political operation said they were unaware of the ads until they aired, while another source contended that the president had discussed the initiative with aides and that the production was not secret. The latest ad includes a disclaimer reading “Paid for by the US Government.”