WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Sept. 30 defended the use of federal tax dollars to fund television advertisements promoting his agenda weeks before the November midterm election, arguing the spots serve the country rather than his party's election chances.
Responding to a reporter's question, Trump asserted the ads are legal because he is not a candidate in the midterms and the spots do not single out specific candidates. "When I talk about making America great, that's a countrywide ad. That's an ad for the spirit of our country," he said. "I'm not promoting a candidate. I'm not promoting myself, because I'm not running for office. I'm promoting the country."
Trump said he would "gladly pay the money" if someone determined the ads were impro. The Department of Homeland Security is financing the advertisements. On Sept. 20, DHS awarded a $20 million contract to LMD Agency, Inc. for a "national media campaign." AdImpact, which tracks television advertising spending, estimates the government has aired $1.7 million in ads to date.
The first ad began airing on Sept. 23. It features Trump urging Americans to "defeat communism" while highlighting his economic record and personal resilience, with a choir in the background reciting the words "Love me." The song belongs to musical artist JMSN, who sent the White House a cease-and-desist letter on Sept. 28 demanding the administration stop using it.
A second advertisement shows Trump delivering remarks at Mount Rushmore during this year's Fourth of July celebration, saying, "This is only the beginning of the golden age of America."
A third ad, which aired nationally during NFL football games, is identical to a commercial Trump used during the 2024 presidential election. Trump narrates the spot, warning of a "final battle" to defeat "the deep state," Marxists and other "villains."
Each ad concludes with: "Paid for by the U.S. government."
Federal law prohibits using public money for political advertisements and propaganda. The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in political activity.
White House officials have defended the ads' legality by characterizing them as "public service announcements," arguing they are not political because they lack a call to action and Trump is not on the ballot.
The administration funds the ads using money from "One Big Beautiful Bill," Trump's sweeping tax and spending legislation approved by Republicans in Congress in 2025 without Democratic support.
