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NYT: Trump Personally Directed $20M in Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising Himself
The New York Times reports Trump personally instructed budget chief Russell Vought to use taxpayer funds for TV ads praising him and his presidency; a $20M Homeland Security contract followed, with spots already airing on cable networks and NFL broadcasts — drawing bipartisan criticism.
Why it matters
The New York Times reports that President Trump personally instructed budget director Russell Vought to find taxpayer money for television ads praising him and his presidency, setting in motion a $20 million contract paid with Department of Homeland Security funds. The revelation has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who call it a possible violation of federal anti-propaganda law.
Full report
According to the Times, which based its reporting on interviews with 12 people familiar with the matter, Trump was eager to see laudatory ads on the air and told Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director, to come up with the money from within the government. Trump and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles also spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the ads.
On September 19, OMB shifted $20 million in Customs and Border Protection money into a "commemorative events" budget line; the next day, CBP awarded a $20 million "National Media Campaign" contract to LMD Agency, a Maryland marketing firm. The funds came from the $175 billion Congress gave the department in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" — money originally meant for border security, anti-drug trafficking efforts and memorials for fallen officers.
The spots have run on Fox News, CNN and MS Now, with Fox NFL football broadcasts, CBS, ABC and NBC — including "Meet the Press" — as well as "Good Morning America" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". The Washington Post reported at least $5.5 million has already been spent. The White House budget counsel Mark Paoletta and White House counsel Will Scharf said the spending would be legal; the ads disclose they are funded by the U.S. government and the White House describes them as public service announcements.
Democrats including House Appropriations ranking member Rosa DeLauro and Sens. Patty Murray and Chris Murphy called the move an illegal misuse of taxpayer dollars. Republicans also objected: Senate Majority Leader John Thune said "it shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars"; Sen. Susan Collins confirmed the money was taken from funds meant for Customs and Border Protection; Sen. Thom Tillis said "it feels like Viktor Orbán talking to the Hungarian people."
Trump responded: "If somebody said that that's wrong, I'll gladly pay the money," adding, "I'm not promoting myself because I'm not running for office. I'm promoting the country."
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