President Donald Trump's administration has used government funds to run at least two political advertisements promoting the president, drawing sharp criticism from former White House ethics officials and members of Congress.
Richard Painter, who served as White House ethics attorney under President George W. Bush, said the use of taxpayer money for campaign ads "could be an impeachable offense." Painter wrote on X that Trump "has no right to use taxpayer money for campaign ads," noting that Congress has expressly prohibited government-sponsored political propaganda.
One ad featured the song "Love Me" playing over images of Trump. UFC chief Dana White praised the president in the ad, calling him "the toughest, most resilient person that I've ever met." The second advertisement recycled material from Trump's 2024 campaign.
The White House defended the ads as "public service announcements." Critics argue the ads do not promote public awareness or causes and instead meet the definition of propaganda.
Norm Eisen, former White House special counsel for ethics and government reform under President Barack Obama, told the New York Times the administration has "gone from breaking the law to trampling it." Eisen said the recycled campaign video "openly repurposes prior political conduct."
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, said the advertisements are likely illegal. Raskin wrote the ads "may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes," citing a specific statute.
Even some Republicans have opposed the administration's actions. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, said on Face the Nation that no public official, including Trump, should spend public money on private ads. Kennedy acknowledged the White House's view but asserted there should be a rule against using public funds for self-promotion, saying "You can't spend public money to promote yourself."
