From ABC7 New York · · 1m 30s
Trump Admin's TV Ad Taxpayer-Funded
Trump administration's pro-Trump ad on Fox News labeled 'Paid for by the U.S. Government' costs $14,000 and sparks ethics debate.
In brief
Trump administration's pro-Trump ad on Fox News labeled 'Paid for by the U.S. Government' costs $14,000 and sparks ethics debate. The Trump administration's pro-Trump TV ad on Fox News is taxpayer-funded and labeled 'Paid for by the U.S. Government', sparking criticism over Hatch Act violations. Originally reported by…
Trump administration runs pro-Trump ad
The Trump administration is running a new pro-Trump advertisement on cable news featuring President Donald Trump boasting about his record and vowing the United States will never be a communist country.
Ad labeled 'Paid for by the U.S. Government'
The 30-second spot includes the disclosure 'Paid for by the U.S. Government' and cost roughly $14,000.
White House calls it educational
The White House told ABC News the ad is a 'public service announcement' and argued it is 'educational' and 'not political'.
White House claims no political intent
The White House official added the ad is not political, as the President is not on the ballot and the ads have no call to action.
Rep. Jamie Raskin condemns ad
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called the ad 'felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes'.
Hatch Act violation concerns
Raskin warned the ad violates the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities by federal employees using government resources for campaigns.
Ad similar to YouTube video
The ad appears identical to a 30-second video uploaded to the White House YouTube page on Sept. 13 titled 'America Will Never Be a Communist Country'.
At a glance
The Trump administration's pro-Trump TV ad on Fox News is taxpayer-funded and labeled 'Paid for by the U.S. Government', sparking criticism over Hatch Act violations.
