The Trump administration is airing taxpayer-funded ads, including one declaring 'God Made Trump,' ahead of the midterm elections, sparking controversy over the use of government resources and potential legal violations.
The Trump administration is launching a 'midterm blitz' of taxpayer-funded ads, dubbed 'public service announcements,' which heavily feature President Donald Trump and his record. CNN obtained 12 of 13 ads, showcasing Trump with fighter jets, touting military actions in Iran, efforts to arrest Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and celebrating events he hosted. One particularly striking ad, titled 'God Made Trump,' declares, 'I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle the deep state. So God made Trump.' The campaign, reportedly allocated $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security with $2.5 million already spent on airtime, has drawn significant scrutiny. Critics, including lawmakers from both parties like Republican Sen. John Kennedy and Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, question the legality of using government funds for what appears to be a political campaign, especially weeks before the midterms. Raskin even suggested it 'may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property.' President Trump reportedly took a hands-on role in selecting the ads. The White House defends the campaign as 'educational and unapologetically patriotic,' aimed at reminding Americans 'to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad.'
