AP reported the Trump administration spent at least $443,000 on its first taxpayer-funded TV ad by Friday. Lawmakers from both parties say the ads look like campaign spots, but the White House says they are public-service announcements.
The first spot began airing Wednesday on Fox News and Newsmax. Trump says in it that America will never be a communist country and that “we will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism”; on-screen text claims the administration enacted the “largest tax cuts in history,” is “reigniting American manufacturing” and will “defend law and order and police.” A second, 60-second spot began Friday, featuring Mount Rushmore at night and excerpts from Trump’s July 4 weekend remarks.
Rep. Jamie Raskin said the ad may violate the Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activity by federal employees, and may amount to criminal theft and conversion of government property for campaign purposes. Sen. Thom Tillis called the use of taxpayer money for the ad “inappropriate.” Singer JMSN (Christian Berishaj) said he had not authorized use of his song “Love Me” in the spot and was looking at lawyers.
