Trump reverses course on taxpayer-funded campaign ads after bipartisan backlash

President Donald Trump announces a major reversal, stating he will stop using taxpayer money to fund campaign-style television ads promoting himself and his policies. The decision follows intense bipartisan backlash from lawmakers like Republican Senator John Kennedy and retiring Senator Thom Tillis, who questioned the legality of using public funds. The administration had diverted $20 million intended for Customs and Border Protection to pay for the ads, spending at least $10 million before the halt. Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., which holds over $400 million, will fund the ads going forward.

Bipartisan backlash from lawmakers

• ▪Democratic and Republican lawmakers criticized the use of public funds for the advertisements produced by LMD Agency promoting Trump and his policies, calling them an inappropriate use of taxpayer money
• ▪Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana stated that no public official, including President Donald Trump, should spend public money on private advertisements for themselves
• ▪Senate Democrats Patty Murray and Christopher S. Murphy introduced a bill last week to cut funding for the Office of Management and Budget if taxpayer funds are used for publicity or propaganda

MAGA Inc. campaign spending

• ▪The pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. held more than $400 million on hand at the end of August 2026, according to Federal Election Commission filings
• ▪MAGA Inc. has spent tens of millions of dollars on the Texas Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico

Debatable claims

• ▪The White House's transfer of border security funds to pay for the advertisements was illegal
• ▪Donald Trump should reimburse the federal government for the television advertisements that already aired
• ▪The Trump administration's television advertisements were a legitimate use of public funds
• ▪It is appropriate for super PACs to fund advertisements produced by the federal government