Trump ads paid with CBP funds

The Trump administration paid for TV ads showing President Trump in a favorable light using money intended for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an official and a top Republican senator confirmed to NBC News.

White House defends ads as patriotic

A White House spokesperson said the ads are public service announcements about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at borders, and abroad.

“These public service announcements are about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad.”

DHS says it followed contracting rules

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, said it follows all applicable rules for contracting decisions and keeps all decision makers informed, with all decisions made in accordance with applicable law.

Ads resemble 2024 campaign material

The unusual ads include disclaimers stating they were paid for by the U.S. government. One ad is nearly identical to a 2024 Trump campaign ad, and the administration's use of taxpayer money to produce ads resembling campaign advertisements has drawn bipartisan criticism.

Senate Majority Leader criticizes funding

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said of the most recent ad: it's a great message and he likes it, but it shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

“It's a great message. I like the message, but it shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars.”

Schumer calls it propaganda

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Monday only President Donald Trump would have the audacity to force Americans not only to watch his propaganda, but to pay for it.

“the audacity to force Americans not only to watch his propaganda, but to pay for it.”

Collins confirms CBP funding source

Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, confirmed the official's account, saying the money was taken out of funding that was supposed to be for Customs and Border Protection in Trump's so-called big, beautiful bill, which Republicans passed along party lines in two thousand twenty-five.

“it was taken out of funding that was supposed to be for Customs and Border Protection”

Administration bypassed appropriations process

Collins said appropriations bills to fund the government typically have restrictions against using one account for another purpose. The administration went around the appropriations process and used an account that was part of the reconciliation bill.

“That's why the administration went around the appropriations process and used an account that was part of the reconciliation bill.”

First ad aired earlier this month

The first ad aired earlier this month and featured Trump describing how he wanted to defeat communism, set to the song Love Me by JMSN. Lawyers for JMSN on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to the White House telling it to stop using his music.

Second ad echoes campaign messaging

The second spot closely tracks a two thousand twenty-four Trump presidential campaign ad. It shows Trump walking down a hallway asking people in a voice-over to join him in his final battle to demolish the deep state and expel the warmongers from government.

Spending exceeds one point seven million

The political ad-tracking firm AdImpact has estimated that the administration has spent more than one point seven million dollars to run the ads.

Tillis compares move to Orbán tactics

Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who announced his retirement last year after clashing with Trump on the megabill, said he hates the decision, comparing it to Viktor Orbán talking to the Hungarian people, and said there's no place for that sort of thing.

“I hate it. I tell you, it feels like Viktor Orbán talking to the Hungarian people. There's no place for that sort of thing.”