WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday that taxpayers will no longer pay for a series of controversial advertisements promoting his presidency, reversing course after lawmakers and ethics experts questioned the use of federal money for the spots.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he would instead pay for the advertisements himself and with money he raised for MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC that has amassed a massive political war chest ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Trump continued to defend the substance of the advertisements, calling them a “positive promotion for our Great U.S.A.” and arguing that using government money for the spots was “a rather standard thing to do.”
But he said he had decided to shift the cost.
“I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.,” Trump wrote.
The White House later confirmed to FWRD AXIS News that MAGA Inc. would pay for the advertisements going forward.
“Presidential Public service announcements are nothing new. Administrations of both parties have used public service announcements to explain policy and make the case for the nation’s direction,” the official said.
Ads draw scrutiny
The reversal follows days of scrutiny over the administration’s decision to use federal money for a national advertising campaign featuring Trump.
The Department of Homeland Security tapped $20 million in funding originally provided to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the broader advertising effort, according to reporting from The Associated Press. Millions of dollars have already been spent airing the advertisements.
Earlier on Monday, Vice President JD Vance said the ads were not political, suggesting they show the success of the Trump administration.
“They’re not partisan. They’re not — you know, it’s not like we’re advocating for a particular candidate. We’re trying to tell a story, I think, about how great the United States of America is,” Vance said.
The spots began airing in late September and feature Trump prominently while touting his administration and its policies.
One advertisement promotes tax cuts, American manufacturing and law enforcement while featuring clips and images of Trump. Another incorporates footage from Trump’s remarks at Mount Rushmore during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
A third drew particular scrutiny because it closely resembled an advertisement used by Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. It features Trump walking through a hallway while his voice warns about a “final battle” involving political and ideological opponents.
The advertisements nevertheless attracted criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over whether taxpayer money should be used for messaging so closely associated with the president’s political brand.
Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and George Whitesides of California asked the Government Accountability Office and U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate the administration’s spending.
