Promoting country: Trump defends use of $20 million in taxpayer funds for ads

US President Donald Trump directed officials to use taxpayer money for a $20 million television campaign promoting him and his presidency, The New York Times reported on Friday. The spending has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump defended the ads on Wednesday, saying he was “promoting the country”.

“I’m not promoting a candidate. I’m not promoting myself because I’m not running for office. I’m promoting the country,” he told reporters at the White House.

“Now, if somebody said that that’s wrong, I’ll gladly pay the money. But these are ads for the country,” he added.

One advertisement was identical to a video from Trump’s 2024 election campaign, according to the US publication. The White House has described the commercials as public service announcements, saying they contain no appeal to vote for a candidate.

$20 MILLION FROM HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS

Trump asked budget director Russell Vought to find government money to pay for the ads. White House and budget office lawyers advised that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds could be used legally, sources told The New York Times.

On September 19, the budget office moved $20 million from US Customs and Border Protection, an agency under DHS, into a spending category called “One Big Beautiful Bill Commemorative Events”, the newspaper reported.

The next day, Customs and Border Protection, which falls under DHS, awarded a $20 million contract to Maryland-based marketing firm LMD, according to federal records quoted by the newspaper.

Democratic senators Patty Murray and Chris Murphy said the money came from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and was intended for Customs and Border Protection.

In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, they sought details of the spending, plans for further ads and information on his discussions with Trump about the campaign.

DHS told The New York Times that its contracting decisions complied with applicable law.

At least four ads had aired at a cost of about $5.5 million, the newspaper reported, citing advertising tracker AdImpact and people familiar with the spending. The $20 million contract covers the broader campaign.

2024 CAMPAIGN VIDEO REUSED

The ads have aired on cable and broadcast networks, including during football games and national news programmes. They end with the message “Paid for by the US government”.

The reused campaign video shows Trump walking down a hallway and warning of a “final battle” against his perceived enemies, according to The New York Times.

Another ad highlights tax cuts through a montage of Trump’s appearances. A spot about the Iran war combines military footage with remarks by Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The White House said the ads encouraged Americans to love their country and understand why it was worth defending.

REPUBLICANS QUESTION TAXPAYER FUNDING

Senate Majority Leader John Thune was among the Republicans who questioned the use of public money.

“It’s a great message. I like the message, but it shouldn’t be paid for by taxpayer dollars,” he said.

Critics say the ads could violate federal restrictions on using public money for publicity or propaganda.

Democratic representatives Jamie Raskin and George Whitesides asked the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Special Counsel to investigate, calling the ads “desperate pre-election propaganda”.

Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr defended the ads on Wednesday, saying they did not warrant an FCC review. He backed the White House’s position that they were routine public service announcements.