Senate Majority Leader John Thune has voiced concerns over the White House's apparent use of taxpayer money to fund a new ad campaign that appears to glorify President Donald Trump.
"It’s a great message. I like the message. But it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars," Thune told reporters on Monday. He noted that Trump has not clarified the funding sources for the ads, which began airing on FOX.
The campaign includes a television spot that closely mirrors one previously released by Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. However, the new ads conclude with the statement "Paid for by the U.S. government."
One of the ads features Trump stating, "This is the final battle ... we will demolish the deep state," and "We will cast out the communists, Marxists and fascists."
Thune's remarks place him alongside other Republicans who have spoken out against the administration's use of taxpayer-funded ads. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) previously told CBS' "Face The Nation" that public money should not be used for private political advertisements.
Democrats have also condemned the campaign. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) criticized the administration for funding these ads amidst rising living costs and ongoing U.S. military actions. "The White House is spending YOUR taxpayer money on pro-Trump campaign ads," Coons posted on social media. "Not on healthcare, not on food assistance — campaign ads. Do they think you don’t notice what they’re doing?"
A White House spokesperson did not comment on the funding of the ads but characterized them as public service announcements, stating they are "clearly not political." The official added that "The president is not on the ballot, and the ads don’t have a call to action."