DNC sues to stop taxpayer-funded Trump ads before midterms
The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration Wednesday over TV ads paid for with public money. It says the ads are illegal propaganda to help Republicans. The government has spent more than $20 million on them, and they kept airing after Trump said his super PAC would pay.
The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit Wednesday to block TV ads that promote President Donald Trump and are paid for by taxpayers.
The suit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. It says the administration kept airing the ads at government expense even after Trump said Monday that his super PAC, MAGA Inc., would pay for them going forward, Politico reported.
The administration has spent more than $20 million on the campaign-style spots this year, the Washington Examiner reported. Each one carries the line "Paid for by the U.S. Government." The DNC says that breaks a federal law that bars using public money for "publicity or propaganda purposes."
The complaint names five ads. They include "The Country He Loves," a spot about the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, "Final Battle," "Mount Rushmore" and "American Military Power." The DNC asks the judge to declare the ads unlawful and to bar the government from using funds for future ones.
"With less than 30 days remaining before the midterm election and millions of public dollars apportioned to pay for propaganda ads still unspent, the DNC has no choice but to take action," the committee wrote.
DNC Chair Ken Martin said on X that Trump "doesn't get to turn the federal government into his personal campaign operation."
The White House pushed back. An official told the Washington Examiner that "The Country He Loves" does not mention voting and is "clearly not political." Trump said last week, "I'm not promoting myself because I'm not running for office. I'm promoting the country."
On Monday, Trump wrote that he would pay for the "Patriotic Ads" himself and with money raised for MAGA Inc. A day later, the White House said that did not mean taxpayers would be paid back for ads that already ran.
The fight comes as both parties pour money into the final weeks of the campaign. Election Day is Nov. 3.
What we know: The case is filed, and the DNC wants the ads stopped before the election.
What we don't: When a judge will hear the case, or whether more government-paid spots will air first.
Where outlets agree Politico and the Washington Examiner both report the DNC filed suit Wednesday in federal court in Washington to stop the government-paid ads.
Where they differ The DNC calls the ads illegal propaganda to help Republicans, while the White House says at least one is "clearly not political" and Trump says he is promoting the country, not himself.