US Government Funds Controversial Trump Ad on Fox News

WHO:

CBS News - Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire wrote to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles demanding information about the cost of running the ad and raised concerns about its legality.

CBS News - Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada is attempting to introduce an amendment to a bill banning political ads featuring cabinet members paid for with tax dollars.

ABC News - The advertisement features President Donald Trump and is associated with the U.S. government.

Alternet - Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland commented on the advertisement.

WHAT:

CBS News - The ad features rapidly edited pictures and video of Trump denouncing communism and socialism, with text touting his administration’s accomplishments, such as “reigniting American manufacturing.”

CBS News - The ad includes a clip of UFC President Dana White stating, "He's the toughest, most resilient (man) I've ever met and nothing was going to stop him from fighting so hard for the country he loves."

CBS News - A new ad campaign glorifying President Trump began airing on national cable and networks, including CBS, starting Thursday.

CBS News - The ad features Trump vowing, "We will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America," and includes various visuals from his second administration.

CBS News - A second ad recounting the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aired on CBS stations and other networks Thursday evening.

CBS News - There are multiple versions of the ads, with some being 30 seconds long and others 60 seconds.

CNN - The advertisement started airing Wednesday across the country on cable TV, including Fox News, as well as connected TV.

CNN - The government has spent just over $14,000 to run the ad so far.

CNN - The ad does not mention any races or candidates but is described as an atypical use of taxpayer dollars.

ABC News - The advertisement does not specify which candidates voters should support in the midterms, but aligns with campaign messaging from Trump and other Republicans.

Alternet - The advertisement aired during the party's unusual convention in Dallas earlier this month.

ABC News - The advertisement aired during Jesse Watters' show on Fox News.

Alternet - The ad combines Trump's anti-communist message with claims about tax cuts, manufacturing, and policing.

Alternet - The ad features the singer JMSN repeating "Love me, love me" over images of Trump.

ABC News - The advertisement cost $14,000 and aired on Fox News and Newsmax.

ABC News - The ad states, “America will never be a communist country” and highlights the “largest tax cuts in history.”

Alternet - The ad includes a disclaimer stating it is “paid for by the U.S. government.”

Alternet - The ad features the song "Love Me" and includes rapid cuts of Trump, American flags, and military aircraft.

Alternet - The ad ends with UFC's Dana White stating, “He is 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.”

WHERE:

ABC News - The advertisement aired during conservative shows on Fox News and Newsmax.

WHEN:

ABC News - The advertisement ran during the midterm election season.

WHY:

CBS News - A group of top Democratic appropriators in the House and Senate demanded that the ad be immediately pulled, stating it is a violation of federal law.

CBS News - Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire expressed concerns about the ad's purpose and legality, demanding information about its funding and contractors involved.

CBS News - A group of top Democratic appropriators in the House and Senate called for the ad to be immediately pulled, stating it is a violation of federal law.

CNN - A White House spokesperson defended the ad as part of “public service announcements” to promote national pride, stating, “The ad is educational and unapologetically patriotic.”

Alternet - Rep. Jamie Raskin stated that the advertisement is a violation of the Hatch Act and is unethical under federal ethics provisions, emphasizing the use of government resources for political campaigns.

Alternet - Rep. Jamie Raskin stated that the advertisement is a violation of the Hatch Act and is unethical under federal ethics provisions.

ABC News - Rep. Jamie Raskin stated that the advertisement is a violation of the Hatch Act and is unethical under federal ethics provisions.

HOW:

CBS News - The U.S. government produced the content of the ad and paid for the air time through an ad agency.

CNN - JMSN, the singer-songwriter whose song is the soundtrack of the ad, suggested that the administration used “Love Me” without his permission, stating, “I am looking at lawyers and handling this internally.”

CNN - MAGA Inc., the main pro-Trump super PAC, entered September with $416 million cash on hand, according to a recent campaign finance filing.

Drudge Report - The advertisement is airing with government funding despite existing laws against propaganda.

Drudge Report - The ad is airing with government funding despite laws against propaganda.

ABC News - The advertisement was produced and aired using U.S. government funding, although it is unclear which part of the government financed it.

(UPDATED September 25, 2026 07:58 UTC)

Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire has written to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, demanding details about the cost and legality of a controversial ad featuring Trump, while Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada is working on an amendment to ban political ads with cabinet members funded by taxpayer dollars. The ad showcases Trump denouncing communism and socialism, highlighting his administration's achievements, and includes a clip of UFC President Dana White praising Trump's toughness and dedication to the country. A group of Democratic appropriators in Congress is calling for the ad to be pulled, arguing that it violates federal law, as it was produced and funded by the U.S. government.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 23:58 UTC)

A new ad campaign glorifying President Trump began airing on national cable networks, including CBS, featuring him vowing to defeat communism, socialism, and Marxism in America, along with visuals from his second administration. The ads, which come in both 30 and 60-second versions, also include a recounting of the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In response, Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire raised concerns about the ad's legality and funding, while a group of top Democratic appropriators in Congress called for its immediate removal, citing a violation of federal law.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 22:02 UTC)

An advertisement promoting national pride has begun airing across the country, including on cable networks like Fox News, with the government spending just over $14,000 on it so far. A White House spokesperson has defended the ad as an educational and patriotic public service announcement, despite it not mentioning any specific races or candidates. Meanwhile, JMSN, the singer whose song "Love Me" features in the ad, claims the administration used his music without permission and is considering legal action.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 19:59 UTC)

An advertisement that aligns with campaign messaging from Trump and other Republicans aired during the party's unusual convention in Dallas earlier this month, although it does not specify which candidates voters should support in the midterms. Representative Jamie Raskin has called the advertisement a violation of the Hatch Act, arguing that it is unethical to use government resources for political campaigns. Despite existing laws against propaganda, the advertisement is being funded by government resources.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 19:00 UTC)

An advertisement featuring President Trump aired during Jesse Watters' show on Fox News, combining his anti-communist message with claims about tax cuts, manufacturing, and policing, all set to the singer JMSN's refrain of "Love me, love me." Rep. Jamie Raskin has called the ad a violation of the Hatch Act, labeling it unethical under federal ethics provisions. Despite laws against propaganda, the ad is being broadcast with government funding.

(UPDATED September 24, 2026 17:01 UTC)

An advertisement featuring Trump, which cost $14,000, aired on conservative networks Fox News and Newsmax during the midterm election season, and it includes a disclaimer stating it was “paid for by the U.S. government.” The ad asserts that “America will never be a communist country,” highlights the “largest tax cuts in history,” and features rapid cuts of Trump alongside American flags and military aircraft, ending with UFC's Dana White praising him. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland has criticized the ad, claiming it violates the Hatch Act and is unethical under federal ethics provisions.