Eisen's letter says the Trump ad appears to violate federal spending laws
Norm EisenLawyer at Democracy Defenders Action for Christian Berishaj, who performs as JMSN
A letter signed by Norman Eisen of Democracy Defenders Action and Ballard Spahr lawyers for the artist JMSN says the ad appears to violate appropriations and other federal laws on the use of taxpayer money. The letter also demands that the government stop using the artist's song and withdraw the ad.
“The Advertisement appears to violate appropriations laws prohibiting the use of funds for "publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States"”
Original text
Other statements by Norm Eisen in this case
- Eisen says the ads violate laws against political advertising and propagandaSame day: Condemned
Where this statement fits
Should taxpayers fund Trump's "public service" television ads?
Since late September 2026, the White House has aired television ads that feature President Trump and end with the words "Paid for by the U.S. Government". The White House calls them public service announcements and says they are not campaign ads. Democrats, some Republicans including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and watchdog groups oppose using taxpayer money for the spots, and some allege violations of federal law. Senator Cynthia Lummis and Vice President JD Vance defend the spending. Federal records show that Customs and Border Protection awarded the ad agency LMD a $20 million contract for a media campaign on September 20, and the tracking firm AdImpact estimated at least $10.1 million in airtime spending as of October 5. On October 5, Trump said he would pay for the ads himself and with money raised for MAGA, Inc.; NBC News reported that MAGA Inc. and the White House had not answered whether taxpayers would be reimbursed for ads that had aired. The dispute is whether federal money should pay for these ads.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
The letter signed by Norm Eisen and Ballard Spahr lawyers on behalf of Christian Berishaj objects to unauthorized use of his music and alleges violations of federal spending laws.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The letter objects to the ad's use of Love Me without the artist's permission.
After the quotation
It cites appropriations restrictions and other federal laws, demands an accounting, and reserves legal remedies.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The conduct under scrutiny is federal payment for Trump-promoting ads. The letter says the ad appears to violate appropriations law and describes it as an overtly partisan, political advertisement, which rejects public payment for it.
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- Donald Trump
More from this case
Read the full caseMartin criticizes ad spending and Congress's failure to enforce its limits
“In this case, the president went on spending public money in violation of the law.”Read statement
Common Cause rejects taxpayer funding for presidential promotion
Common Cause
“Taxpayer dollars belong to the American people, not to any president’s personal PR machine”Read statement
DHS refers questions about the contract and funding for the Trump ads to the White House
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
“We refer you to the White House.”Read statement
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- Eisen's letter says the Trump ad appears to violate federal spending laws
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/4729-a-letter-signed-by-norman-eisen-of-democracy
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Eisen's letter says the Trump ad appears to violate federal spending laws". First published: 2026-10-06. Last updated: 2026-10-06. https://disputeindex.com/events/4729-a-letter-signed-by-norman-eisen-of-democracy