The White House is running taxpayer-funded television ads featuring President Trump discussing his record and, in at least one version, urging voters to help him 'defeat communism' and vowing the U.S. 'will never be a communist country,' according to the Guardian and ABC News. The administration expanded the campaign this week, airing a second ad in three days and increasing spending on the first ad to at least $443,000, according to the Washington Times.
Some Democrats have said the government-funded ads could constitute illegal political propaganda intended to influence voters ahead of the midterm elections, according to the Guardian and Axios, with Axios reporting that Democrats want the ad pulled.
In response, the White House press office issued a lengthy statement defending the spending, describing the ad as a 'public service announcement' funded by the 'U.S. government' rather than a campaign ad, according to the Guardian and NBC News.
The ads have aired on Fox News and CBS, according to the Guardian and the Independent, with the Independent reporting that CBS's airing of the ad marked an increase in its reach.
How each side covered it
Left
- Outlets emphasized that the White House defended the taxpayer-funded pro-Trump ad by calling it a 'public service announcement'.
- Coverage highlighted Democrats' warnings that the ad could constitute illegal government propaganda meant to influence midterm elections.
- Reports noted the ad features Trump audio urging voters to help him 'defeat communism' alongside a review of his second-term record.
- Several outlets tracked the ad's expansion across networks, including Fox News and CBS, funded by U.S. government money.
“White House claims pro-Trump ad it paid Fox to air was ‘public service announcement’” — The Guardian
Center
- Axios reported that the White House is defending the taxpayer-funded Trump ad despite Democrats' calls for its removal.
“White House defends taxpayer-funded Trump ad Democrats want pulled” — Axios
Right
- The Washington Times reported the ad campaign's growth, noting a second TV ad aired within three days and spending reaching at least $443,000.
“The Trump administration on Friday appeared to ramp up its use of U.S. government-funded political advertisements promoting President Donald Trump, airing its second TV ad in three days while expanding its spending on the first to at least $443,000.” — The Washington Times
Questions readers ask
What happened with the White House's pro-Trump ad?
The Trump administration used taxpayer funds to air TV ads promoting President Trump's record on networks including Fox News and CBS. The White House called the ad a 'public service announcement,' while some Democrats said the spending could be illegal government propaganda aimed at influencing midterm voters.
How much has the ad campaign cost?
According to the Washington Times, spending on the first ad reached at least $443,000, and the administration aired a second ad within three days of the first.
Why do Democrats object to the ad?
According to the Guardian and Axios, some Democrats argue the taxpayer-funded ad amounts to illegal government propaganda designed to influence voters ahead of the midterm elections, and Axios reports Democrats want the ad pulled.
How did the White House defend the ad?
The White House press office issued a statement calling the ad a 'public service announcement' funded by the 'U.S. government,' rejecting characterizations of it as a political campaign ad, according to the Guardian and NBC News.
Where has the ad aired?
The ad has aired on Fox News and CBS, according to the Guardian and the Independent.
Sources · 11 outlet reports
- ABC NewsLeft-leaningAdministration's pro-Trump TV ad is taxpayer-funded
- Associated PressLeft-leaningTaxpayer-funded pro-Trump TV ad campaign grows with new spot, wider reach
- Common DreamsLeft-leaningTaxpayer-Funded Trump Ad Violates the Hatch Act
- Los Angeles TimesLeft-leaningU.S. government foots bill for television advertisement featuring Trump’s midterm messaging
- Mother JonesLeft-leaningYou’re Paying For Donald Trump’s New Ad
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningWhite House says new pro-Trump ad funded by the ‘U.S. government’ is a ‘public service announcement’
- The GuardianLeft-leaningWhite House claims pro-Trump ad it paid Fox to air was ‘public service announcement’
- The IndependentLeft-leaningCBS’s Trump push ramps up as it airs taxpayer-funded ‘campaign’ ad
- AxiosCenterWhite House defends taxpayer-funded Trump ad Democrats want pulled
- BreitbartRight-leaningPro-Trump TV ads funded by US government continue airing with expanded cost and reach
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningTaxpayer-funded pro-Trump TV ad campaign grows with new spot, wider reach