Trump Switches to Private Fund for His TV Ads

Tue Oct 06 2026 05:49:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

After backlash, Trump vows to drop taxpayer money on his campaign ads and use money from his own super PAC.

President Trump has announced he will no longer use public funds to finance his television advertisements. The move follows bipartisan criticism that the ads, praising his presidency, violated rules against political spending with government money. Trump claims the ads serve a "public service" purpose and will instead be paid for from his private super PAC. Senators on both sides of the aisle have warned that the practice sets a dangerous precedent. The change comes just weeks before the November midterm elections, a test of the president’s popularity and congressional power.

President Donald Trump has said he will stop using US taxpayer money to pay for TV spots that cheer him on. The announcement came after lawmakers from both parties complained that the ad content was a political push‑in rather than a public notice. Trump insists the broadcasts are public service announcements. He vows to cover the costs through the money raised by his MAGA Inc super PAC.

The ads, some over a dozen in recent weeks, talk about tax cuts, hiring American workers, and staying strong against the so‑called deep state. Trump uses blunt language about fighting “communists,” “Marxists” and fake news. The ads appear just before the November midterms, when voters decide if the president’s party keeps control of Congress.

The White House defends the ads as educational, pointing to past campaigns that promoted health or national safety. Legal experts say the ads lack a clear governmental purpose. Senate Republicans say spending income from advisers on political messages is wrong, while Democrats want stricter limits. The dispute shows how contentious the rule‑making has become for campaign funding.