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Trump says he'll pay for TV ads that praised him and which government funded
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump announced that he and his political action committee, MAGA Inc., will pay for controversial TV ads praising him, which were reportedly funded by up to $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security.
- The ads, running ahead of the November midterm elections, have drawn criticism for resembling Republican campaign messaging and raising concerns over the use of taxpayer funds for political promotion.
- About $9.7 million has already been spent on these ads using federal money, prompting questions about whether Trump will reimburse the government for these costs.
- Critics, including Senator Maggie Hassan and advocacy group Public Citizen, argue the ads violate federal laws prohibiting government funds from being used for political propaganda and have called for investigations.
- The White House defends the ads as patriotic public service announcements, while MAGA Inc. continues to raise and spend significant funds in the 2025-26 election cycle, holding over $415 million in cash on hand.
