President Trump departed the stage after addressing a rally in Syracuse, New York on October 9, 2026. Meanwhile, advertisements endorsing his policies continued to be funded by the U.S. government. This persisted even after Trump announced his MAGA Inc. super PAC would take over these expenses. Despite a federal judge’s order to halt the ads, they remained on air.
An analysis by NPR, using data from AdImpact, revealed that nearly $22 million in taxpayer money has funded these ads since the campaign began in late September. Around $10 million of this was spent after October 5, when Trump declared he would privately finance the ads via MAGA Inc. on Truth Social.
“The Radical Left is upset with the fact that I am taking Ads, which I consider to be a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A., and paying for them with U.S.A. money,” Trump stated. “This is a rather standard thing to do but, rather than doing that, although nothing will make them happy, I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.”
The ads received criticism from lawmakers of both parties. Republicans initially commended Trump’s decision to shift funding to an external super PAC, but this praise was premature. Government-funded ads continued despite perceived policy changes.
The White House labeled the ads as public service announcements. However, a lawsuit from Common Cause and others claimed they lacked congressional approval, violating restrictions on using taxpayer funds for propaganda. The ads included various pro-Trump themes, some featuring military operations in Venezuela and Iran, all ending with “Paid for by the U.S. Government” displayed.
Following a federal judge’s temporary ruling to halt the ads, they still aired on the night of October 11, and early into the next day. “The last PSAs paid for by the government aired yesterday evening,” a White House official mentioned. They explained the government missed court notice to cancel the ads, emphasizing that future PSAs would be funded by outside groups.
The White House had indicated no reimbursement for taxpayer funds used. They insisted these ads focused on patriotism, not campaigning, since Trump isn’t on the ballot this year. However, Trump urged voters to view his influence as present, with concerns his low approval ratings may harm Republican campaigns nationwide.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll displayed public disapproval of the ads. It found 86% of Americans deemed using taxpayer funds for election-related ads involving the President inappropriate, including 80% of Republicans. Such bipartisan consensus is unusual today.