According to The New York Times, President Donald Trump personally told his budget director to find taxpayer money for TV ads praising him. That led to a $20 million contract paid for with Homeland Security funds.
Trump was "eager to see the laudatory ads on the air," so he directed Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to come up with the money from within the government, the Times reported Friday, citing 12 people familiar with the matter. On Sept. 19, OMB moved $20 million in Customs and Border Protection money into a budget category called "One Big Beautiful Bill Commemorative Events."
The Times reported that the idea took shape at an Aug. 7 Oval Office meeting. Trump was supposed to approve super PAC spending for midterm candidates. Instead, he reportedly had an aide pull up videos of himself on her tablet, including Trump with fighter jets flying overhead.
At least four ads have aired so far, at a cost of about $5.5 million. In one, images of Trump play over the song "Love Me." The artist behind the song has protested its use. Another is identical to a 2024 Trump campaign video that attacks "villains."
The ads have run on network morning shows, during Fox football games and on "Meet the Press," which Trump is known to watch.
Critics say the ads may break federal laws against using public money for "publicity or propaganda purposes." The White House calls them public service announcements.
"If somebody said that that's wrong, I'll gladly pay the money," Trump said Wednesday. "I'm not promoting myself because I'm not running for office. I'm promoting the country."
His super PAC, MAGA Inc., went into the fall with $400 million.