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Trump Backs Down: 'Patriotic Ads' to Be Paid by Him and His Super PAC, Not Taxpayers
After bipartisan backlash, Trump announced Oct. 5 that MAGA, Inc. will fund the pro-administration TV ads going forward; the White House gave no word on reimbursing money already spent.
Why it matters
This is a major reversal in the 'taxpayer-funded propaganda' controversy. Lawmakers from both parties had questioned whether using federal funds for TV ads glorifying the president violates federal statutes, including the ban on using appropriated money for 'publicity or propaganda' and limits on partisan political activity by government employees.
Full report
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on the evening of Oct. 5: 'I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.' He maintained that using government money for such ads was 'a rather standard thing to do,' but conceded his critics would 'never be happy.'
A White House official later confirmed MAGA, Inc. will pay for such ads going forward, but did not answer whether taxpayers would be reimbursed for ads that already aired, nor how the administration would demonstrate that future ads are truly funded by political money. MAGA, Inc. had amassed more than $400 million by the end of July.
Ad-tracking firm AdImpact estimates the government has spent at least $10 million on the ads; CNN previously reported that more than $5.6 million came from Customs and Border Protection funds. The spots began airing in late September with disclaimers reading 'Paid for by the U.S. Government'; one was virtually identical to a 2024 Trump campaign ad.
Trump offered no details on reimbursement, and the White House did not either. With November's midterm elections approaching, the dispute is expected to continue.
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