White House Expands Taxpayer-Funded Ad Campaign Promoting Trump Ahead of the Midterms
The White House has aired at least three government-funded television ads promoting President Trump since September 24, according to CNN, Axios and CNBC. One spot features Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White calling Trump "the toughest, most resilient person" over the song "Love Me" by JMSN. A second ad, titled "Final Battle," reuses black-and-white footage and rhetoric from a video Trump posted to Truth Social during his 2024 campaign, including lines about defeating "communists, Marxists and fascists." Each spot closes with the disclosure "Paid for by the U.S. Government." AdImpact, a media tracking firm, estimates the ads have cost taxpayers between $362,000 and $443,000 so far, airing on Fox News, Newsmax, CBS and during NFL broadcasts.
Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sens. Maggie Hassan, Chris Murphy and Patty Murray, have demanded the ads come down, arguing they violate a federal law barring taxpayer funds from being used for "publicity or propaganda" and could run afoul of the Hatch Act, which limits political activity by federal employees. Sen. Jacky Rosen has expanded a bill that would bar the president and vice president from appearing in any taxpayer-funded television advertising. Watchdog group Common Cause has also raised concerns. Criticism hasn't been confined to one party. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said on CBS's Face the Nation that no public official "should spend public money on private ads for themselves."
The White House has defended the spots as public service announcements, comparing them to past administrations' PSA campaigns on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and Covid-19 vaccination. A spokesperson said the ads are meant to remind Americans "to love their country" and noted that Trump is not on the ballot in November and that the ads include no call to action. JMSN has said he never authorized use of his song.
What supporters say:
The White House argues the spots are public service announcements, not campaign ads, since Trump isn't on the 2026 ballot and none of the spots ask viewers to vote or donate.
Officials point to past administrations running taxpayer-funded PSA campaigns on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and Covid-19 vaccination as precedent for using government ad budgets to promote administration priorities.
Supporters say the content, such as touting manufacturing gains or tax cuts, reflects factual accomplishments rather than campaign messaging.
What critics say:
Common Cause and Democratic lawmakers say the ads' visuals and rhetoric are lifted almost directly from 2024 campaign material, arguing they exist to promote Trump's image using appropriated funds Congress has barred from "propaganda" purposes.
Rep. Jamie Raskin has argued the spots could amount to a Hatch Act violation and "felony criminal theft" of government resources for a political purpose.
The criticism is bipartisan: Republican Sen. John Kennedy has also objected to using public money to promote any official's image.
Sen. Jacky Rosen has noted Trump's own political operation, backed by a $416 million war chest per a recent campaign finance filing, could pay for the same message without taxpayer funds.
What's your take?
Should the White House be able to keep running these taxpayer-funded ads promoting President Trump ahead of the midterms? Yes 
No 
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Sources:
#WhiteHouse #TaxpayerFunded #Trump #Midterms2026 #Propaganda
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