US judge orders halt to taxpayer-funded ads featuring Trump

A US judge has halted the use of taxpayer money for political advertisements featuring President Donald Trump, according to wire material. Manhattan-based US District Judge Jennifer Rochon temporarily blocked the ads, which began airing in late September, after plaintiffs, including watchdog group Common Cause, argued they were political propaganda aimed at aiding Republican candidates in the Nov 3 midterm elections.

The Trump administration was already preparing to cease running the ads prior to the judge's order, as stated in a separate court filing. Common Cause President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón expressed the group's intent to ensure full accountability for the administration and prevent future misuse of taxpayer funds for propaganda.

Trump, on Monday, considered the ads as a "positive promotion for our great USA" but stated they would no longer be funded by taxpayers; instead, his political action committee, MAGA PAC, will cover future costs. The ads concluded with a disclaimer indicating they were government-funded. The Justice Department did not comment on the judge's order.

Plaintiffs, which included a public employee union and a candidate for Alabama state representative, requested the court to temporarily block the ads by Friday to prevent airing during popular programming like football games and Saturday Night Live. Democratic Party officials also contested the ads in a separate lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington.