President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his political action committee, MAGA Inc., will take over funding for a series of national television advertisements that had previously been paid for with taxpayer money. The ads were financed through a $20 million Department of Homeland Security contract awarded to LMD Agency on September 20, with the White House Office of Management and Budget transferring the same amount to Customs and Border Protection for “OBBB Commemorative Events” a day earlier. Ad‑tracking data show that over $10 million of public funds have been spent on the campaign since September, with the spots airing on cable and broadcast networks bearing the disclaimer “Paid for by the U.S. Government.”
The broadcasts covered a range of themes, including an anti‑communism message featuring Trump declaring “We will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America,” a clip on the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and a slogan stating “God made Trump.” Critics from both parties argued that the campaign violated federal restrictions against using public funds for propaganda. A letter from Senate Democrats condemned the effort as “government propaganda…an egregious and illegal misuse of Americans’ hard‑earned tax dollars,” while GOP Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana warned that public officials should not spend public money on private ads for themselves.
The White House maintained that the spots were public service announcements rather than political promotion, describing the anti‑communism ad as “educational and unapologetically patriotic.” Trump acknowledged the criticism on Truth Social, saying he would pay for the ads himself with money raised for MAGA Inc. after previously stating he would gladly cover the costs if the arrangement was deemed improper.
MAGA Inc. entered September with roughly $415 million on hand and has reserved about $194 million for upcoming advertising. Diverting super‑PAC funds to cover the ads could reduce money available for key midterm contests, such as the Texas Senate race, even as Trump has reiterated his willingness to spend “whatever amount of money necessary” to help the party.
