The U.S. government spent about $1.7 million (roughly 2.3 billion won) on "public service announcements" highlighting President Donald Trump's accomplishments. Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties say using taxpayer money to produce promotional videos for the president violates federal budget law and ethics rules.
Two presidential public service announcements featuring Trump aired nationally over the weekend during Sunday morning political talk shows and broadcasts of college football and NFL games, Bloomberg reported on the 28th. The ads carried a notice stating that the U.S. government paid for them, and included footage recycled directly from campaign ads used during the 2024 presidential election.
One of the presidential announcements strings together photographs praising Trump. The other features previously unreleased footage of a Trump speech along with the president's own voice saying that a golden age for the United States has begun.
Democrats and watchdog groups argue the ads may violate a provision of federal budget law barring the use of government funds for propaganda, as well as the Hatch Act. This year's government spending law prohibits spending on publicity or propaganda within the United States that Congress has not approved in advance. The Hatch Act bars public officials from acting on behalf of political campaigns. The Hatch Act does not apply to the president, however, so only aides involved in producing the ads could face penalties. Such ads are normally paid for by political committees separate from the government.
Richard Painter, who served as the White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, told The New York Times that the ads could amount to grounds for impeachment. He called the ads dangerous and stressed that government-sponsored propaganda is not permitted in the United States. One House Democrat said the ads were government propaganda of the kind one would expect to see in North Korea rather than the United States.
Thune Breaks Silence, Distances Himself From Trump Ahead of Midterms
Criticism also came from within the president's own party. Senate Republican Leader John Thune told reporters at the Capitol that day that while it was a great message and one he liked, it should not have been paid for with taxpayer money. Republican Sen. John Kennedy said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday that no public official — whether Trump, Kristi Noem or himself — should use public funds for private advertising that benefits themselves.
Thune's remarks marked his most recent break with the president in public. Until recently, he had largely avoided criticizing Trump openly. Republicans face unusually tough Senate contests even in traditional strongholds such as Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Alaska and Texas. Trump will not appear on the ballot in the November midterm elections but has taken a front-line role, casting the vote as a referendum on his administration's record.
The White House responded by setting up a dedicated webpage to rebut the criticism. It argued the spots are not campaign ads because Trump is not a candidate and the ads contain no appeal to vote or donate. The White House said the public service announcements were clearly disclosed and directed at the nation. Trump said his name is not on the ballot in the midterm elections and that the ads are meant to remind Americans to love their country.
Analysts see little chance the matter will lead to actual penalties. The Government Accountability Office, which determines whether violations have occurred, has reported to Congress that there has never been a criminal prosecution under the Antideficiency Act. The GAO's top post has also been vacant since the previous head departed at the end of 2025, and the power to nominate a successor rests with Trump.
