The Trump White House produced 13 taxpayer-funded videos that feature and praise President Trump, with CNN obtaining 12 of the spots. The administration calls them "public service announcements," but critics say they function as promotional ads and question whether federal funds may legally be used this way. Officials moved $20 million from Homeland Security to fund the campaign and have spent at least $2.5 million on airtime. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the ads and legal scrutiny is likely to follow.
White House Runs 13 Taxpayer-Funded Ads Praising Trump, Including 'God Made Trump' Spot
Donald Trump is using the days ahead of the upcoming midterms to tout his own record—with taxpayer money. / Jessica Koscielniak / REUTERS
The Trump White House produced 13 taxpayer-funded videos that prominently feature and praise President Donald Trump, including one spot that asserts, "God made Trump." CNN obtained 12 of the ads, which the administration has described as "public service announcements." Officials shifted $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security to pay for the campaign, with at least $2.5 million already spent on airtime.
What The Ads Show
The 15-second to three-minute spots showcase a range of imagery and themes: Trump posing with fighter jets and Marine One; footage tied to military actions, including references to Iran; efforts to pursue Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro; and celebrations of the UFC event hosted on the White House lawn. Many of the ads are explicitly promotional, ending with the line: "Paid for by the U.S. Government."
Donald Trump puts up his dukes in a midterm election rally for Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei in Durant, Oklahoma. / Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS
Distribution And Sourcing
CNN says it obtained 12 spots from a Dropbox account tied to LMD, the agency awarded the government contract to buy advertising space. At least two of the ads have already aired, and a 13th spot titled "Final Battle"—which CNN did not obtain—has also aired. One of the more conspicuous pieces, headlined "God Made Trump," was broadcast at Republicans' midterm convention in Dallas.
Responses And Legal Concerns
The ads have drawn criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum who questioned whether taxpayer funds can legally be used to promote a sitting president's political image ahead of elections. Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy said, "I don't think any public official... should spend public money on private ads for themselves." Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, posted on X that the ads "may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes." Republicans John Cornyn and Thom Tillis also criticized the expenditures.
Donald Trump takes questions from the press in the Oval Office. / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS
"I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle the deep state," the booming voiceover declares in the "God Made Trump" spot. "So God made Trump."
Former White House communications director Mike Dubke suggested in an interview that the campaign may have allowed media access to the spots intentionally, anticipating free television coverage of portions of the videos. The administration, when asked by CNN, pointed reporters to a compilation video of the president attacking the network. The Daily Beast and other outlets said they reached out to the White House for comment.
Why It Matters
Critics say the spending and the ads' content raise legal and ethical questions about the use of government resources for publicity that aligns with partisan objectives, especially in the run-up to midterm elections. Supporters or defenders have framed the content as informational "public service" material. The dispute is likely to prompt further scrutiny from Congress and watchdog groups.
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