Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr stated on September 30, 2026, that new pro-Trump television advertisements funded by the government do not require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) review. Carr remarked, "It doesn’t strike me as anything at all out of the ordinary," referring to the ads that have been broadcast across the country in recent weeks. When questioned about claims that the ads constitute propaganda, Carr laughed and noted that the White House described them as standard public service announcements (PSAs). He added, "There’s nothing in there that strikes me that merit any sort of FCC review."
A reporter highlighted a complaint filed by the progressive advocacy group Public Citizen, which noted that the Trump campaign utilized one of the ads in 2024. Carr dismissed the concern, stating that there are groups on the left that have attempted to influence the FCC’s license renewal process, but he believes the ads do not present any issues.
Anna Gomez, the only Democratic commissioner on the FCC, expressed her concerns in a statement to NBC News, stating, "I recognize the concern shared by others that taxpayer dollars are being used to promote a political message, particularly given the timing of these ads coming so close to an election." She suggested that the FCC may be applying a double standard in its investigative decisions.
The use of federal funds for these advertisements has faced bipartisan criticism. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stated that the ads should not be funded by taxpayer dollars, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described them as an "absolute violation of what democracy is supposed to look like."
In response to inquiries about the ads, Trump defended them during a press conference, stating, "I’m not running for office and I don’t talk about anybody. When I’m talking about making America great, making our country great, that’s a countrywide ad. That’s an ad for the spirit of our country." He further stated that if anyone believes the ads are inappropriate, he would be willing to cover the costs, asserting that they are intended to promote the country.
The initial ad features Trump discussing his intention to "defeat communism" while the song "Love Me" by JMSN plays in the background. Another advertisement is a shorter version of a 2024 Trump campaign ad, showing him walking down a hallway while asking viewers to join him.