Trump-Funded Government Ads Face Bipartisan Scrutiny Ahead of Midterms

Three nationally broadcast television advertisements featuring President Donald Trump are drawing bipartisan criticism and legal scrutiny just five weeks before midterm elections, with ethics experts and lawmakers questioning whether public funds are being used for political promotion.

The ads, which end with the disclaimer "Paid for by the US Government," tout American exceptionalism. One shows Trump declaring "America will never be a communist country" as a chorus repeats "love me" in the background. Another pairs images of Mount Rushmore with footage of Trump on stage praising "the golden age of America." A third describes "the final battle," with Trump pledging to dismantle the deep state "with you by my side." That spot is nearly identical to a Trump campaign ad from 2024, differing only in the closing disclaimer.

The commercials have aired during "Saturday Night Live" and NFL football games on Sunday. The White House has defended them as "public service announcements" meant to remind Americans to love their country, rather than campaign ads. It did not respond to questions about which agency is funding the ads, their cost, or the criticism that they misuse public money.

Critics argue the campaign may violate longstanding restrictions on government propaganda and political activity. Richard Painter, who served as chief White House ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush, said the ads are "clearly propaganda" and not something the U.S. government can lawfully pay for under federal statutes. He pointed to the glorification of the president, attacks on political enemies, and the absence of a clear policy issue as telltale signs. Painter and other legal experts said the campaign likely violates the 1939 Hatch Act, which bars government employees from engaging in campaign activities at work.

David Hopkins, an associate professor of political science at Boston College, called it "a fairly clear-cut violation of legal prohibitions against public money being used for campaign purposes." Critics noted that previous Hatch Act allegations involving Trump's administration led to watchdog findings but little accountability.

Disapproval has come from within Trump's own party. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he liked the message but added, "it shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars." Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said on "CBS Sunday" that "you can't spend public money to promote yourself." Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X, "Never take another Republican seriously when they pretend they care about 'waste, fraud and abuse.'"

It remains unclear why the administration would use public funds in a cycle where Republicans hold a clear fundraising advantage. Republican-aligned groups have reserved at least $888 million in advertising for the coming weeks, compared with at least $666 million for Democrats, according to AdImpact.

Republican strategist Charlie Black, who has worked on multiple presidential campaigns, suggested Trump's focus on himself could hurt his party. History shows, he said, that "if a president is unpopular, the more visible they are, the worse the party does."