Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 5
Trump Shifts $10 Million in TV Ads to Super PAC After Taxpayer Backlash
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 5

Trump Shifts $10 Million in TV Ads to Super PAC After Taxpayer Backlash

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 5

Summary

  • $10 million-plus in nationwide TV ads that had been funded with taxpayer money will now be paid by Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., after he announced the reversal Monday.
  • A $20 million Department of Homeland Security contract had financed the spots since September, drawing criticism from Democrats and some Republicans as possible illegal government propaganda.
  • Trump had defended the arrangement five days earlier, saying the ads promoted the country rather than himself, but cited the backlash in his social media post announcing the change.
  • MAGA Inc. appears able to absorb the cost: it entered September with about $415 million cash on hand, and it and allied super PACs have already reserved roughly $194 million for ads before November.

Insights

What happens to the millions already spent by the government, and will taxpayers see a direct refund from the PAC?