Trump abandons taxpayer-funded election ads after bipartisan backlash

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump says he will no longer spend taxpayers' money on political advertising for the midterm elections, after a bipartisan backlash to the use of public funds for the president's self-promotion.

Several television advertisements promoting Trump and his agenda have aired in primetime slots over the past fortnight, carrying a disclosure that they were "paid for by the US government". The promotions outraged Democrats and many Republicans, but Trump and the White House had, until now, defended the ads as "public service announcements".

One ad, a version of which originally aired during the 2024 presidential campaign, quotes Trump speaking of a "final battle" for America. "With you at my side, we will demolish the deep state," he says. "We will expel the warmongers from our government. We will cast out the communists, Marxists and fascists."

Another taxpayer-funded ad features a super-cut of Trump photographs set to a song called Love Me by R&B artist JMSN, and the promise that America "will never be a communist country".

The reversal comes as the president lashes out at media coverage of his campaign rallies, which have featured rows of empty seats, something Trump is attempting to deny. He held a rally at a high school activity centre in Ohio on Saturday. The Republicans face an uphill battle to retain control of Congress on November 3.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The reversal ends, at least publicly, a practice of spending public money on advertising that promotes the president personally, with a month to go before the midterms.
The episode lands as Republicans face an uphill battle to hold Congress, making any controversy costly for the party.
The clash over rally crowds renews a familiar fight between Trump and the media and could shape coverage of the campaign's final weeks.

Background

Trump returned to the White House after the 2024 presidential election, and the shelved ads drew directly on that campaign: one is a version of a spot first aired in 2024. On November 3, control of Congress is at stake. The White House had defended the taxpayer-funded promotions as public service announcements, but criticism from Democrats and many Republicans forced the retreat. The episode sits within a longer-running debate about where presidents draw the line between official White House communications and campaign activity.

Key Perspectives

Democrats: Outraged by government-funded ads that promote the president and his agenda in primetime slots. Many Republicans: Joined the criticism, even as their party fights to retain control of Congress. The White House and Trump: Had defended the spending as "public service announcements", and the president now denies media reports of empty seats at his rallies. Critics: Point to the ads' content, including promises to "demolish the deep state" and cast out "communists, Marxists and fascists", as evidence the spots were political rather than informational.

What to Watch

Whether any further taxpayer-funded ads appear in primetime before the November 3 election.
The continuing dispute over rally attendance and how the press covers Trump's events.
Republican fortunes in the final month, and whether the ad controversy affects their campaign.
Whether the reversal prompts scrutiny or questions over the money already spent.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources