<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Donald Trump announced that his primary super PAC will begin funding the administration's taxpayer-funded political advertisements after receiving bipartisan criticism.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump stated 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. 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.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The pro-Trump advertisements, which include the message “Paid for by the U.S. Government,” began airing in late September on various cable channels and broadcast networks ahead of the midterm elections.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Criticism of the taxpayer-funded ads has come from Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans as well.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump has defended his use of taxpayer funds for the ad campaign, asserting that it is not self-promotional. “I’m not promoting myself because I’m not running for office,” Trump said last week. “I’m promoting the country.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While campaigning for the midterm elections, Trump has encouraged Republican voters to act as if he is on the ballot to increase turnout and maintain Republican control of Congress.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In response to the backlash, the White House has characterized the advertisements as public service announcements intended to educate voters and promote patriotism.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Funding for the ads was sourced from taxpayer dollars allocated to Customs and Border Protection. The Department of Homeland Security reportedly awarded LMD Agency $20 million for a “National Media Campaign” starting on September 20. The day before, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget approved $20 million for CBP, which was subsequently transferred to the advertising agency.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As of Monday, at least $10.1 million in taxpayer funds has been spent on the advertisements, according to AdImpact.</p>