Trump promises to pay for ads, but funding switch remains unclear

The Trump administration is airing television adverts using money Congress approved for border-security upgrades, efforts to combat drug trafficking and memorials to officers killed on duty, The Washington Post reported on 1 October, citing federal spending records. [1]

The adverts began airing on 23 September, Axios reported. AP described one 30-second spot as virtually identical to a 2024 Trump campaign advert, but with an ending that identifies the US government as the payer. [5] [4]

AP reported that the Department of Homeland Security had committed $20 million to the advertising campaign. A federal contract-data listing records $20 million obligated by Customs and Border Protection for a “National Media Campaign” dated 20 September. That obligation is not the amount already paid to air the television spots. [3] [2]

The White House says the announcements are not campaign ads, arguing that Trump is not on the ballot and that they contain no call to action. [6]

Senators Patty Murray and Chris Murphy suspect a $20 million “Commemorative Events” funding line was used and have asked for spending details and contracts. Two House Democrats have separately asked federal watchdogs to examine the spending and possible Hatch Act violations. [7] [8]

Update

On 5 October, Trump said he would pay for the “Patriotic Ads, among others” himself and with money he had raised for the MAGA Inc super PAC, rather than using US government funds. He gave no date for the change and made no commitment to repay earlier costs. [10]

The announcement followed criticism from both parties. Republican senators John Kennedy and John Thune opposed using taxpayer money for the ads. But Republican senator Cynthia Lummis objected to consideration of a Democratic resolution against their public funding, citing previous presidents’ use of public service announcements. [17] [18] [19]

The Associated Press reported that an ad broadcast on 6 October still carried a notice saying it was paid for by the US government. An unnamed person familiar with the campaign told AP that slots booked before Trump’s pledge would end later that week, after which outside groups would pay. In a lawsuit filed on 7 October, the Democratic National Committee alleged that government-labelled ads aired that day too. [14] [11]

AP reported a $20m Department of Homeland Security contract for the campaign. It also cited advertising tracker AdImpact’s estimate of more than $12m in costs to run the ads. That estimate is not an audited total of government payments. Asked on 6 October whether he would repay funds already spent, Trump said, “We’ll decide.” Reuters reported the next day that the White House said his PAC would not reimburse taxpayers for ads already run. [14] [15] [16]

The DNC’s lawsuit seeks to stop further use of appropriated funds for the ads; AP reported a second legal challenge filed on 7 October. The White House says the spots are public service announcements, not campaign ads, arguing that Trump is not on the ballot and they contain no call to action. The lawsuits allege unlawful spending; their filing does not establish a violation. [11] [14] [6]