US judge orders halt to taxpayer-funded ads featuring Trump

Manhattan-based US District Judge Jennifer Rochon has temporarily halted the use of taxpayer money to fund political advertisements featuring former US President Donald Trump, following a lawsuit by watchdog group Common Cause and others. The ads, which aired in late September, have sparked bipartisan criticism, with critics alleging they are political propaganda designed to aid Republican candidates ahead of the November midterm elections.

The judge's order caps a period of controversy over taxpayer-funded ads that were intended as public service announcements. Trump himself acknowledged the ads' positive promotion of the USA but stated they would no longer be funded by taxpayers, with the White House announcing that his political action committee, MAGA PAC, would cover the costs moving forward.

The ads conclude with a disclaimer stating they were paid for by the US government. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the judge's ruling. The plaintiffs, including a public employee union and a candidate for Alabama state representative, had requested the temporary block to prevent the ads from airing during high-profile weekend programming.