Trump won’t reimburse US for political ads, in fresh U-turn
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US President Donald Trump had earlier said that he and his political campaign would pay for the advertisements promoting himself ahead of tight US midterm elections in November.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
- The White House said Trump will not reimburse taxpayers for political ads, after he first said he would pay for them himself.
- The row followed anger over US$20 million in Department of Homeland Security funds used for pro-Trump TV ads before the midterm elections.
- Democrats called the ads “illegal” and “propaganda”, while some Republicans also raised concerns about the government-backed promotion.
AI generated
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump will not reimburse taxpayers for political ads that have already aired, the White House said on Oct 6, in a fresh reversal on the controversial TV spots.
Trump said on Oct 5 that he and his political campaign would pay for the advertisements promoting himself ahead of tight US midterm elections in November.
His announcement followed an outcry on both sides of the US political divide over the use of millions of dollars in government funds for pro-Trump ads.
“I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself, and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, referring to his political action group.
But on Oct 6, the White House told AFP that Trump’s post “was not referring to reimbursement”.
Trump later seemed to suggest the issue was still in the air. “The ads were really good. They were promotion for the country, done by many presidents before. So we’ll decide,” he told reporters at the White House when asked if he would reimburse the cost of the ads.
US media reported that the Trump administration used US$20 million (S$25.6 million) from Department of Homeland Security funds to pay for the advertisements.
One of them showed Trump warning of a “final battle” over black-and-white footage of him walking down a hallway, with an onscreen message saying: “Paid for by the US Government.” The ad appeared to be almost identical to a political advertisement for Trump broadcast at his 2024 presidential election campaign, US media said.
The White House last week defended the use of government funds, saying the ads were public service announcements. But Democrats called the ads “illegal” and propaganda”, while even some senior Republicans expressed reservations. AFP