Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump to make fun of him for what he was about to propose. He proposed it anyway.
On CBS' "Face the Nation," Kennedy said public officials shouldn't use taxpayer money on ads that promote themselves. He included the president in that.
"I don't think any public official, including President Trump or Kristi Noem or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private ads for themselves," Kennedy said.
Then he went further.
"I may end up with a sombrero on my head, but I also think we ought to have a rule that no politician can have a building named after him when he's alive," he said.
The sombrero line referred to the AI-generated videos Trump has posted mocking his critics. The best-known one showed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in a sombrero and a fake mustache.
Before Kennedy spoke, the show aired a clip of a government-funded ad that shows Trump alongside the word "RESILIENT." An on-screen label said it was "Paid for by the U.S. Government."
Critics have attacked the administration for years over spending public money on ads that put its top officials front and center. Noem drew heavy criticism as Homeland Security secretary for a costly ad campaign that starred her. Trump has also put his name on a growing list of things, including efforts to add it to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Kennedy's comments caught the attention of Trump critics. Former GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia reposted the clip, which independent journalist Aaron Rupar shared on X.
The Louisiana Republican usually backs Trump, but his folksy one-liners sometimes put him at odds with the White House. His remarks come as more Republicans distance themselves from the president ahead of the midterms.
Kennedy: "I don't think any public official, including President Trump or Kristi Noem or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private ads for themselves ... I may end up with a sombrero on my head, but I also think we ought to have a rule that no politician can have a… pic.twitter.com/xcHkbwuY9Y
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 27, 2026