Trump Personally Directed 3 Taxpayer-Funded Ads Airing in NFL Games as GOP Criticism Grows
Updated
Updated · CNN · Sep 28
Trump Personally Directed 3 Taxpayer-Funded Ads Airing in NFL Games as GOP Criticism Grows
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Sep 28
Summary
White House aides told CNN that Trump personally drove the government-funded ads, helping choose imagery and video for spots produced in-house by the White House video team.
The latest ad ran during at least two Sunday NFL broadcasts and closely mirrors a January 2024 Truth Social campaign-style video, ending with the disclaimer: “Paid for by the US Government.”
Three such ads have surfaced in recent days, including one touting Trump’s record and another using Mount Rushmore footage, while the White House says they are patriotic public service announcements, not campaign ads.
John Thune and John Cornyn joined bipartisan criticism, saying the message should not be funded by taxpayers, as Democrats including Jamie Raskin warned of possible Hatch Act violations and future subpoenas.