Trump to Cease Use of Taxpayer Funds for Campaign-style Advertisements

United States President Donald Trump announced he will stop using taxpayer funds for television advertisements featuring him following criticism from ethics experts. In a post on his social media site on October 2, 2026, Trump defended the advertisements, which cost at least $1.5 million in federal funds and were aired ahead of the US November midterm elections. Trump stated that he viewed the advertisements as 'a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A.' but indicated that future funding would come from him or his MAGA PAC. MAGA Inc., Trump's political action committee, had accumulated over $400 million by the end of July 2026. The announcement followed criticism from ethics experts and lawmakers from both parties, who have called for independent investigations into the advertisements. The ads have aired during football games and other programming, with one featuring Trump stating, 'America will never be a communist country,' accompanied by a chorus repeating 'love me.' Another ad combines images of Mount Rushmore with footage of Trump praising a 'golden age of America.' The advertisements concluded with a disclaimer indicating they were paid for by the US government. Democratic lawmakers reported last month that the White House transferred $20 million in Homeland Security Department funds to air the advertisements, including one resembling a 2024 Trump campaign ad, and have sought independent probes. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called for an independent investigation, describing the situation as a 'staggering misuse of public funding and breach of public trust.' Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, a Republican appointed by Trump, stated last week that the advertisements were appropriate and rejected a request for an investigation.