Trump TV ads draw bipartisan criticism over taxpayer funding

US President Donald Trump faced bipartisan criticism Monday over taxpayer-funded television advertisements featuring himself weeks before midterm elections.

One ad aired during an NFL game on Sunday night and showed Trump warning of a “final battle” over black-and-white footage of him walking down a hallway. The ads include an onscreen message saying they were paid for by the US Government.

US media said the ad appeared almost identical to a political advertisement broadcast during Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. The White House said the ads were “unapologetically patriotic” public service announcements and compared them with messages from previous presidents during wartime and national crises.

Republican Senator John Kennedy told CBS on Sunday: “You can't spend public money to promote yourself.” Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper called the ads “propaganda,” “illegal” and “un-American” on X. Democratic Representative Mike Levin said: “It’s propaganda, and you’re paying the bill.”

A White House spokesperson said the latest ad was educational and patriotic. A White House official said the ads were “clearly not political,” adding that Trump is not on the ballot and that the ads do not include a call to action.

Trump urged voters earlier this month to “pretend that I'm on the ballot” for the midterm elections during a keynote speech at a Republican Party convention in Dallas.