The Daily Show host Jordan Klepper took aim at President Donald Trump’s taxpayer‑funded television spots that aired on networks such as Fox News and NBC News in the run‑up to the midterm elections. Klepper called the ads “plainly indefensible,” noting that they were paid for by the U.S. government.
The 30‑second spots featured Trump promising to “throw off the sick political class that hates our country” and “rout the fake news media,” and declaring that “America will never be a communist country.” Each ad carried the disclaimer “paid for by the U.S. government.” Klepper compared the spending to the White House’s costly renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which had recently suffered algae problems and peeling paint.
Klepper highlighted a White House statement that described the spots as public‑service announcements, arguing that they were not campaign ads because Trump was not on the ballot and there was no call to action. He countered that the footage was identical to a 2024 campaign ad, suggesting the content was political in nature.
The ads have drawn criticism from both sides of Congress. Representative Jamie Raskin accused the use of taxpayer money of constituting felony theft and Hatch Act violations, while Senator John Kennedy said no public official should spend public money on private ads. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the message but said the ads should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars. The Independent has requested a White House response.
