‘Love me’: White House uses taxpayer money to air ads lavishing praise on Trump
The White House is under fire after they used taxpayer money to broadcast an ad promoting Donald Trump.
The 30-second ad released six weeks before the crucial midterm elections did not appear to have any public service purpose.
A screenshot from a taxpayer-funded ad promoting Donald Trump. The White House
Instead it was a montage of photographs and videos of Trump.
"Together we will defeat communism, socialism, and Marxism in America," Trump said in the ad.
"America will never be a communist country."
The video then ends with UFC President Dana White lavishing praise on the president.
"He's the toughest, most resilient person that I've ever met, and nothing was going to stop him from fighting so hard for the country he loves," White said.
At the end of the ad, text at the bottom of the screen reads: "Paid for by the US government".
Playing through the ad was a song by JSMN, with the lyrics “Love me” being repeated over and over.
Trump’s Republican Party is facing a heavy loss in November’s midterms. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
JSMN said he was considering legal action over the unauthorised use of his song.
"I’ve built my career independently outside of any major system and have made it a point to not sacrifice my artistic integrity," the singer wrote in a statement posted on X.
"I don’t have a publicist or anything so being forced in a situation like this and having to comment is ridiculous.
"I am looking at lawyers and handling this internally."
JSMN said he would never authorise his music to be used for any political agenda or campaign.
In a statement, the White House denied criticism of the ad as "highly dishonest".
President Donald Trump with China’s President Xi Jinping. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
"The announcements are very clearly not campaign ads; President Trump is not on the ballot and there is no call to action.
"Instead, the announcements are a reminder for Americans to love their country and know why it’s worth defending — at home, at the border, and abroad.
"That’s not partisanship — that’s a government that still believes in the country it serves."
The statement listed other examples of taxpayer-funded ads put to air by other administrations.
They listed an ad explaining new legislation about prescription drugs put out by the second Bush administration, and an Obama administration ad promoting subsidies from the Affordable Care Act.
But Democrats were far from convinced.
"Your tax dollars should pay for health care and schools. Not political ads for Trump," Senator Patty Murray said.
"Pull it down."
Senator Chris Van Hollen described the ad as “corrupt and illegal”.
"Instead of lowering healthcare costs or gas prices, Trump is spending YOUR tax dollars on an illegal, blatantly political ad," he wrote on Bluesky.
"He knows how unpopular he is — and now he is using your money to try to change your mind."
On the first day of the broadcast, less than $A20,000 was spent to air the ads, a comparative pittance on the US television market.
But days later it has blown out to $A630,000.
“Rather than focusing on ways to lower costs for hardworking families, the president is stealing taxpayer dollars to illegally air a campaign ad that assuages his ego,” Representative Emanuel Cleaver said.
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