Trump shifts ad costs to super PAC after public outcry over public funds

UPDATE - follow-up to Trump says his super PAC will pay for taxpayer-funded ads that sparked backlash for glorifying him: U.S. President Donald Trump will stop using public funds for television advertisements that promoted him and sparked a major bipartisan backlash, shifting future costs to his political action committee.

The Backlash

The ads had cost at least $1.5 million in federal funds, with AdImpact noting spending reached at least $1.4 million by late September. The spots drew intense criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who called them government propaganda. Legal experts warned the ads might violate federal statutes against using public money for publicity or propaganda or limiting partisan activities by government employees. Democratic lawmakers compared them to propaganda seen in North Korea, while Republican Senator John Kennedy stated public officials should not spend public money on private ads.

The Ads and Funding

The controversial spots began airing in late September during broadcasts like NFL matches, college football games, and Saturday Night Live. CNN reported at least 13 such ads existed, with 12 sitting in a Dropbox run by the agency buying the TV slots. One ad featured clips of Mr. Trump talking about defeating communism and promoting tax cuts and manufacturing. A second ad showed Mount Rushmore with quotes from his Fourth of July weekend speech. A third ad matched his 2024 reelection campaign spot, warning of a final battle against globalists and warmongers, while another featured a super-cut of his photographs set to a song called Love Me by R&B artist JMSN. All ended with a message stating they were paid for by the U.S. government.

Context

Political action committees like MAGA Inc., which had amassed over $400 million by the end of July, are independent political groups that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates. Publicly funded advertising by sitting executives often faces strict legal limits to prevent the misuse of taxpayer money for partisan political advantage. This shift comes as Republicans face challenges in retaining control of Congress ahead of midterm elections.