Trump’s taxpayer-funded propaganda blitz

Donald Trump is utilizing taxpayer funds to disseminate propaganda, according to recent reports. In a recently aired 30-second ad, Trump pledged to "demolish the deep state, expel the warmongers from our government, and cast out the communists, Marxists, and fascists," accompanied by black-and-white footage of himself walking down a hallway.

The final 10 seconds of the ad display the message: "Paid for by the U.S. Government." This is the third ad in a week with this message, and so far, the most prominent. It has aired during major shows like Saturday Night Live, Fox News Sunday, and numerous college and pro football games. Two other ads promoting Trump have also employed similar tactics, according to The New York Times.

Ethics experts argue that all three ads are likely illegal. The total expenditure on these ads is unclear but has reached at least $319,000, as per the Associated Press. The White House maintains that these are "public service announcements" and that Trump is not currently on the ballot. However, the similarity of the black-and-white spot to a 2024 Trump campaign ad and the lack of substance in the ads suggest otherwise.

Trump has also been urging voters to "pretend I'm on the ticket" in the months leading up to the midterms, suggesting a pattern of using taxpayer money to promote himself.