President Donald Trump says he will stop using taxpayer funds for television advertisements that promote him and administration policies, after backlash over the ads’ use of federal money. Multiple outlets report he announced the change in a post on Truth Social.
The controversy centers on ads that, according to reporting, used at least $1.5 million in federal funds. The Guardian and others note the outcry comes from lawmakers from both parties who condemned pro-Trump messages funded with public money. Trump says his MAGA Inc. super PAC will cover costs for future advertising. He frames the ads as a “positive promotion” and described them as routine.
Outlets differ on what they highlight about next steps. Roll Call and others emphasize the reversal and the shift away from taxpayer payments. The Hindu reports Trump provides no details on whether and how taxpayers would be reimbursed for ads that already aired, nor on the mechanics for how his political organization will fund future spots. The precise funding arrangement is therefore not fully specified across the coverage.
