President Trump Shifts Ad Costs

President Trump announced that future promotional television ads would be paid for by him or MAGA Inc., his pro-Trump super PAC, instead of taxpayer funds. The shift follows a national ad campaign that featured Trump and his political themes, carried a U.S. government payment disclaimer, and used a $20 million Department of Homeland Security contract funded through Customs and Border Protection money. Federal law bars a president from directing a super PAC’s spending, raising a legal question about his stated plan. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the taxpayer funding, while the White House said the spots were public service announcements. More than $10 million in taxpayer-funded ads had already aired. Trump and the White House did not say whether taxpayers would be reimbursed.