Most Americans oppose Trump’s taxpayer-funded ‘golden age’ ads: Poll
Most Americans surveyed oppose using public money for Trump administration television advertisements, according to a poll cited by Al Jazeera. The ads present the country as entering a “golden age” and describe their purpose as patriotic.
President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would cover future advertising costs himself and through MAGA Inc, his political action committee. The White House has said taxpayers will not be repaid for ads already funded.
The advertisements have aired before November’s midterm elections and end with a notice identifying the U.S. government as their payer. Democratic lawmakers say $20 million in Department of Homeland Security funds was shifted to finance the campaign and are seeking independent investigations.
The White House calls the spots public service announcements, comparing them with earlier government campaigns on Medicare, health insurance subsidies and COVID-19 vaccines. Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter criticized the ads as propaganda.
The dispute centers on whether government funds should support messages that critics say promote the administration. Trump’s stated plan would change the funding source for future ads, while the cost of past advertisements remains unreimbursed, according to the White House.
Key points
- A poll found most Americans oppose taxpayer funding for the administration’s advertisements.
- Trump says he will pay for future ads himself and through MAGA Inc.