After criticism over the use of public money for political advertising, Donald Trump said his MAGA Inc super PAC would cover the costs going forward.
US President Donald Trump said his political committee MAGA Inc would pay for promotional advertisements that had previously been funded by taxpayers. The announcement followed criticism of a campaign that placed television and online spots about the administration’s policies.
Trump described the ads as patriotic and said MAGA Inc would cover their costs from now on. The White House had previously called them public-service announcements, arguing that Trump was not a candidate on the ballot. Critics disputed that explanation and questioned whether government resources could be used to promote the administration’s political agenda.
CNN identified at least 13 advertisements. Twelve were placed through Dropbox, which was connected to an ad-buying contractor. That does not mean all of the spots aired. Trump did not explain how future payments would be organised.
The president also attacked a New York Times report about empty seats at a rally. He called the coverage dishonest and said the newspaper’s journalists should be arrested. Trump argued that spectators had moved to a lower level of the venue, so images of vacant seats did not show the full picture.
The change in payer applies to future costs and does not by itself resolve questions about the earlier use of public funds. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that watchdog and advocacy groups have alleged possible violations of federal rules. MAGA Inc had more than US$415 million in cash at the end of August, according to the report.