Democrats, some Republicans warned ads may violate anti-propaganda laws
President Donald Trump announced Monday on social media that his super PAC, MAGA Inc., will pay for his campaign-style advertisements going forward, ending a weeks-long controversy over spots that had carried a “paid by the U.S. government” disclaimer. The shift follows criticism from Democrats, some Republicans, and ethics organizations, who have argued the government-funded advertisements may violate anti-propaganda laws.
The advertisements had carried a disclaimer stating they were paid for by the U.S. government. Trump argued the spots promote the United States, but critics observed that Trump is heavily featured in them and that the ads closely resemble campaign advertisements he has run in the past.
The ads include narration describing “the final battle” against “the deep state,” “globalists,” and “the sick political class that hates our country” — language critics have read as a campaign appeal aimed at the Democratic Party.
“The Radical Left is upset with the fact that I am taking Ads, which I consider to be a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A., and paying for them with U.S.A. money,” Trump posted. “This is a rather standard thing to do, but rather than doing that, although nothing will make them happy, I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.”
The political ad-tracking firm AdImpact estimates that the federal government spent more than $10 million on the advertisements. NBC News has reported that the ads were funded with money allocated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A White House official confirmed to ABC News and NBC News that MAGA Inc. will pay for the ads going forward. MAGA Inc. has not commented on Trump’s post.
Democrats, some Republicans, and ethics organizations have warned that the ads may violate anti-propaganda laws. The criticism came from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Vice President JD Vance has defended using public dollars for the advertisements, referring to them as public service announcements.
The ads are running ahead of the midterm elections, with the funding source change taking effect as the spots continue to air.