The White House defended a taxpayer-funded pro-Trump ad aired on Fox News this week as a public service announcement, not a campaign ad. Democrats say the ad may be illegal government propaganda aimed at influencing voters before the midterms.
The 30-second Fox edit includes Trump saying, “Together we will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America,” onscreen slogans praising his record and a tribute from UFC chief executive Dana White. A 15-second version posted on the White House’s YouTube channel omitted the political slogans. The White House said the announcements had no call to action and compared them with public-service ads from previous administrations; the three examples it cited did not use partisan messaging or show those presidents.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, said the ad may violate federal laws including the Hatch Act and alleged government resources were used for political purposes. Ad-tracking firm AdImpact told The Wall Street Journal the ad aired on Fox in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, and on Newsmax in Chicago. Musician JMSN said the White House had not asked permission to use his song “Love Me,” called the use illegal and said he was looking at lawyers to handle the matter.
