A taxpayer-funded advertising campaign portraying Donald Trump in patriotic terms has begun airing across US television networks, prompting accusations from Democratic lawmakers that the White House is using public money for political propaganda.
The first advert opens with Mr Trump declaring: “We will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America.” It then cuts between images of the president at rallies, at the White House, alongside military leaders and holding the FIFA trophy.
Messages displayed on screen include “America will never be a communist country”, alongside references to tax cuts, domestic manufacturing and support for law enforcement. The advert ends with Dana White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, describing Mr Trump as “the toughest, most resilient (man) I’ve ever met”.
The advert was shown on Fox News Channel and carries a disclosure stating: “Paid for by the U.S. Government.” A second advert, concerning the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, was broadcast on CBS stations and other networks.
There are multiple versions of the adverts, lasting either 30 or 60 seconds. The US government produced the material and paid for the airtime through an advertising agency.
The music used in the first advert has also drawn scrutiny. Musician JMSN said he had not authorised the use of his song “Love Me”, adding that he would “never authorise my music to be used for ANY political agenda or campaign”.
The White House has rejected the description of the advert as political, calling the broadcasts public service announcements intended to encourage patriotism.
“These public service announcements are about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad,” a White House spokesperson said. “The ad is educational and unapologetically patriotic. We should be proud of our country.”
A White House official argued that the adverts were not political because Mr Trump was not on the ballot and they contained no call to action. Previous administrations have also broadcast public service announcements, including one during Joe Biden’s presidency encouraging Americans to obtain a Covid vaccination.
Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire has demanded information about the cost of the campaign, its contractors and the source of its funding. She said the advert raised “deep concerns about the Trump Administration’s use of taxpayer dollars”.
Ms Hassan said the broadcast appeared to lack a clear official government purpose and could breach federal restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for “a general propaganda effort designed to aid a political party or candidates”.
Senior Democratic appropriators in Congress have separately called for the adverts to be removed, alleging that they violate federal law. They described the campaign as “government propaganda” and an “egregious and illegal misuse” of taxpayers’ money.
Campaign finance experts said the advert was unlikely to breach election law because it did not appear to endorse a candidate for public office. Richard Briffault, a law professor at Columbia University, said questions could nevertheless remain over whether it breached restrictions on government propaganda.
Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada is seeking to amend legislation that would prohibit political adverts featuring cabinet members when they are paid for with taxpayers’ money, in response to the Trump campaign.
