President Trump's White House-aligned political operation rolled out its first midterm ad buy this week — and it left even Republicans rolling their eyes, according to a new report.
While GOP candidates desperately wait for a share of the $400 million sitting in Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC, the money that has moved went toward something else entirely: promoting Trump himself, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
Securing American Greatness, the nonprofit arm of Trump's political operation, premiered its first midterm ads Wednesday, spending just under $1 million, according to tracking firm AdImpact.
"The ads, set to air nationwide, feature video clips of Trump talking about tax breaks in his domestic spending legislation and lower prices for eggs and prescription drugs," the Post reported. "One spot uses Trump’s friend Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)."
One leading Republican ad maker who spoke with the Post suggested it was money thrown away that will do nothing for the GOP and might likely hurt them
"Like, they think he's popular or something," the Republican told the Post after viewing the spots. "He's not."
The skepticism tracks with the numbers: multiple public and private polls show Trump's approval rating stuck in the mid-30s, at or near historic lows for a president heading into a midterm election.
Many GOP lawmakers fear a "bloodbath" in November that could cost them their jobs, making an ad campaign centered on Trump rather than vulnerable candidates a hard sell.
The ads do follow "Trump’s instruction to advisers to promote his record," the Post reported. People familiar with the discussions say the super PAC "could shift its approach" in future ad buys.
