Former President Donald Trump announced that his super PAC, MAGA Inc., will now fund controversial television advertisements that previously faced public backlash for being paid with U.S. taxpayer money. This decision comes after intense criticism over the ads, which promoted Trump and aired ahead of the midterm elections, prompting calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for accountability and repayment of federal funds already spent.
In a significant development following widespread criticism, former President Donald Trump announced that his political action committee, MAGA Inc., would take on the financial responsibility for a series of controversial television advertisements. These ads, which praised Trump and were reportedly funded by U.S. taxpayer money, had generated considerable outcry.
US President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, Sept. 30, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst | Reuters)
While Trump initially suggested both he and his PAC would cover the costs, the White House later clarified that MAGA Inc. would specifically fund future 'public service ads,' rather than retroactively paying for those that had already aired. The announcement came as the ads, which promoted Trump's image and policies, had been running in the crucial weeks leading up to November's midterm elections – contests poised to determine the Republican Party's control of Congress.
Critics were quick to point out that the advertisements closely mirrored Republican campaign messaging, with one notable ad featuring Trump declaring, “America will never be a communist country.” In a social media post, Trump stated, “The Radical Left is upset with the fact that I am taking Ads, which I consider to be a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A., and paying for them with U.S.A. money... rather than doing that... I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.”
AdImpact, a media tracking firm, reported that approximately $9.7 million had been spent on airing three Trump-featured ads using taxpayer funds through October 5. This move followed a New York Times report, citing sources familiar with the situation, that Trump himself had instructed his budget director to allocate taxpayer funds for these presidential promotional ads.
The financial backing for the ads reportedly stemmed from a September 19 shift, where the Office of Management and Budget reallocated $20 million from Customs and Border Protection funds to a category labeled 'One Big Beautiful Bill Commemorative Events.'
The ads drew sharp criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) sent a letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles on September 24, arguing the ads lacked a clear government purpose and likely violated federal prohibitions against using appropriated funds for political propaganda. Following Trump's announcement, Hassan urged immediate repayment for the taxpayer funds already spent, emphasizing the importance of public accountability.
Furthermore, the advocacy group Public Citizen filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission, urging them to halt the airing of the ads. They also requested investigations by the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Special Counsel into potential violations of federal propaganda restrictions and the Hatch Act, which limits federal employee involvement in political campaigns.
Despite the backlash, a White House spokesperson defended the ads in late September, characterizing them as "public service announcements" designed to inspire patriotism and remind Americans of their country's values. MAGA Inc., Trump’s super PAC, boasts a substantial war chest, having raised $424.4 million and spent $32.4 million through August 31 of the 2025-26 cycle, leaving it with $415.8 million cash on hand, according to its latest Federal Election Commission filing.
— Contribution by Luke Fountain, CNBC
