Should taxpayers fund Trump's "public service" television ads?

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

The letter describes televised Trump ads carrying a U.S. government payment disclaimer and disputes the White House's public-service justification.

After the statement

The signatories demand funding and contract records, communications about approval, and a legal justification by October 7.

Before the statement

Kelly posts about the ad spending after reports identified DHS funding.

After the statement

He condemns the use of public money to promote Trump ahead of the election.

Before the statement

Public Citizen announces complaints to federal oversight agencies and broadcasters following another government-funded ad.

After the statement

Gilbert calls the administration's decision to expand the campaign appalling and alarming.

Before the statement

Walkinshaw says DHS money is being used for ads promoting Trump and cites similarities with a 2024 campaign ad.

After the statement

He calls for sworn testimony from those who approved the spending.

Before the statement

Cuellar co-signs the joint statement about the administration's use of border-agency funding.

After the statement

The statement connects the ad spending to resources provided through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Before the statement

DeLauro joins Cuellar in a statement identifying CBP funding as the source of the ad campaign.

After the statement

The release says OMB moved $20 million for the purpose on September 19.

Before the statement

Schumer discusses the expanding television campaign in his Senate floor remarks.

After the statement

He asks which agency funded the ads and whether Trump was personally involved.

Before the statement

Hassan introduces S. Res. 921 and requests immediate consideration and adoption by unanimous consent.

After the statement

After Lummis objects, Hassan renews her criticism and disputes the White House's public-service explanation.

Before the statement

Reed criticizes the expansion of the government's Trump-promoting television campaign.

After the statement

He argues that the president's political operation can pay for political advertising and that government funds should not serve that purpose.

Before the statement

Murphy co-signs the oversight letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

After the statement

The requested records include contracts, spending details, presidential direction and legal opinions.

Before the statement

Murray co-signs a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin questioning the department's role in the advertising.

After the statement

The letter requests answers within 48 hours and separates the reported funding commitment from estimated airtime costs.

Before the statement

Hassan asks for unanimous consent to adopt S. Res. 921, which says the ads should not be paid for by the government.

After the statement

Lummis calls for committee consideration and a common standard for all administrations. Her objection prevents immediate adoption.

Before the statement

Thune comments to reporters about the government-funded ads, as quoted by Roll Call.

After the statement

His objection concerns public payment rather than the message itself.

Before the statement

Massie quotes Medium Buying's post identifying a government-funded ad airing nationally on Fox.

After the statement

The post quotes Medium Buying's post noting that the government-funded spot aired nationally on Fox during a college football game and Fox News Sunday.

Before the statement

Cheung responds to news coverage and criticism of the taxpayer-funded spots.

After the statement

His post links the September 25 statement defending government advertising as patriotic public education.

Before the statement

The release responds to criticism of the administration's television advertising.

After the statement

It argues that encouraging Americans to value and defend the country is a legitimate government message.

Before the statement

The lawmakers' letter calls the ad an illegal misuse of tax dollars and disputes its public-service purpose.

After the statement

They request an end to airing, a spending breakdown and discipline for federal employees who knowingly violated the law.

Before the statement

Rosen contrasts spending on the ads with cuts to programs that Nevada families use.

After the statement

She continued, "Nevadans are sick and tired of this crap," and said she introduced an amendment to expand her No Self-Promotion with Public Dollars Act to cover the president and vice president.