US FCC chair says government ads featuring Trump do not raise concerns

The chair of the US Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, asserted on Wednesday that taxpayer-funded television ads featuring President Donald Trump do not raise any concerns and do not require any FCC review or liability for broadcasters. Carr, a Republican who was appointed by Trump, stated that there is nothing in the material that merits review or liability for any broadcaster running a regular public service announcement.

Several Democratic lawmakers, as well as ethics experts and lawmakers from both parties, have criticized the three nationally broadcast ads, which depict a "golden age of America" and are airing five weeks before midterm elections. The ads were paid for using $20 million in Homeland Security Department funds transferred from the White House.

President Trump defended the ads, stating he is not running for office and that the ads are for the benefit of the country. He added that if anyone found the ads to be wrong, he would gladly pay the money. However, critics argue that the ads may violate established rules against government propaganda and political activity, while others claim the spots are a political campaign promoting Trump.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, expressed concern over the ads, stating that the administration is aggressively attempting to influence the outcome of the midterm elections. Public Citizen filed a complaint with the FCC, arguing that the ads are campaign advertisements that should not be produced or distributed using taxpayer resources.

The ads include Trump declaring that "America will never be a communist country" and a chorus repeating the words "love me." Another ad combines images of Mount Rushmore with footage of Trump praising a "golden age of America." The third ad describes a "final battle" against the "deep state" and closely resembles a 2024 Trump campaign advertisement. All ads end with a disclaimer stating that they were paid for by the US government.