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Thune: Ads promoting Trump political message ‘shouldn’t be paid for by taxpayer dollars’
Thune said the White House should not use taxpayer dollars for ads that closely resemble Trump’s 2024 campaign spots.
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the White House for apparently using taxpayer funds to promote President Donald Trump through a new advertising campaign.
Beginning last Wednesday, the ads on FOX feature Trump declaring, "This is the final battle... we will demolish the deep state," while ending with the disclaimer "Paid for by the U.S. Government."
Sen John Kennedy joined Thune in criticizing the campaign, telling CBS' "Face The Nation" that politicians shouldn't "spend public money on private ads for themselves."
Congressional Democrats also condemned the campaign, with Sen Mark Warner and Sen Chris Coons slamming the administration for funding the spots while living costs rise and conflict in Iran continues.
A White House spokesperson declined to specify funding sources but claimed the spots "are clearly not political," arguing they are public service announcements because the president is not on the ballot.