# US judge orders Trump to cancel US$20m in taxpayer-funded ads

> US judge orders Trump to cancel $20m taxpayer-funded political ads.
- Title: US judge orders Trump to cancel US$20m in taxpayer-funded ads
- Summary: US judge orders Trump to cancel $20m taxpayer-funded political ads. US federal judge ordered Trump to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting himself ahead…
- Keywords: trump, federal judge, taxpayer-funded ads, midterm elections, homeland security, democracy forward, truth social, news, world, judge, orders, cancel
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/10/12/us-judge-orders-trump-to-cancel-us20m-in-taxpayer-funded-ads-promoting-himself/238807
- Published: 2026-10-12T15:32:33+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us, trump, federal judge, taxpayer-funded ads, midterm elections, homeland security, democracy forward, truth social, news, world
## US judge orders Trump to cancel ads
US federal judge ordered Trump to cancel taxpayer-funded television advertisements promoting himself ahead of crucial midterm elections.
## Trump administration used $20m from DHS
Trump administration used us$20 million from department of homeland security funds to pay for pro-trump ads.
## Judge issues 14-day restraining order
US district judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing ads from being created or aired for 14 days.
## Plaintiffs cite legal concerns
Plaintiffs argued the ads exceed congress-approved purposes and violate restrictions on political propaganda.
## White House calls ads public service
White House defended the ads as public service announcements despite criticism from both political parties.
## Trump claims he will pay for ads
Trump said he and his campaign would pay for the ads but White House clarified the post did not refer to reimbursement.
## Key takeaway

US federal judge ordered Trump to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting himself ahead of midterm elections.