Trump personally involved in taxpayer-funded ads ahead of midterms, source says

US President Donald Trump personally helped shape taxpayer-funded advertisements promoting himself and his administration’s policies, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Trump was involved in selecting imagery and video for the advertisements, which were produced by the White House video team, according to CNN.

The ads have drawn criticism from both parties because they are airing just weeks before November’s midterm elections.

“It’s a great message. I like the message, but it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Monday.

The White House has defended the videos as public service announcements and insisted they “are very clearly not campaign ads.”

One recent advertisement closely resembles a video Trump posted during his 2024 presidential campaign.

It features Trump walking through a hallway while declaring “this is the final battle” and ends with the words “Paid for by the US Government.”

The White House said Monday the announcements are intended to remind Americans “to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad.”