Government spent $10 million on pro-Trump ads after president said super PAC would fund
The U.S. government spent nearly $22 million on five ads promoting President Trump and his policies since the campaign began in late September, NPR’s analysis of AdImpact data found. Nearly $10 million was spent after Trump said on Oct. 5 that he would pay for the ads through MAGA Inc., his super PAC.
Despite that announcement, government-funded spots kept running. The ads feature pro-Trump material, including one that duplicates a 2024 campaign ad, and each ends with a notice saying the U.S. government paid for it.
Common Cause and other plaintiffs sued, arguing the ads lacked congressional approval and violated rules on government-funded publicity. The White House has described them as public service announcements and said they promote patriotism, not a campaign.
A federal judge temporarily ordered the government to cancel arrangements for the ads on Sunday night. They aired hundreds more times that night and into Monday morning.
A White House official told NPR the government had not received the court order in time to stop the bookings. The official said the last government-funded spots aired Monday evening and outside groups would pay for future ads. The White House had previously said taxpayers would not be reimbursed. The lawsuit challenges the spending as Republicans approach next month’s midterm elections.
Key points
- Nearly $10 million was spent on the ads after Trump pledged private funding.
- The spots continued airing after a judge ordered their placements canceled.
- The White House says outside groups will fund future ads; plaintiffs dispute the legality of the spending.