The Democratic National Committee filed legal action against President Trump on Wednesday over a television advertising campaign financed through public funds. A separate lawsuit was filed the same day by Common Cause, a government watchdog organization. Both suits contend that the advertisements constitute political propaganda and therefore violate federal restrictions on using taxpayer money for such purposes.
According to the complaints, Trump directed the White House to redirect approximately $20 million in congressional funds allocated for commemorative activities related to border security to finance the ad campaign. The lawsuits argue this reallocation violates constitutional principles governing executive spending authority, asserting that the president can only use funds as Congress specifically directs. The legal filings cite congressional appropriations language that explicitly prohibits taxpayer funding for “publicity or propaganda purposes.”
Three advertisements have aired since September, with production costs exceeding $12 million according to media tracking data. The content includes a choir performance, imagery of Mount Rushmore, and a monochromatic sequence featuring Trump discussing political themes. One advertisement reportedly bears similarities to a spot used during Trump’s 2024 election campaign. The Democratic National Committee characterized the ads as a last-minute effort to boost Republican prospects in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections.
Trump has defended the advertisements as country promotion comparable to previous administrations’ public outreach efforts. Following bipartisan criticism, he announced Monday that future ads would not use public funds, though he did not commit to repaying amounts already spent. A Reuters-Ipsos poll released Wednesday indicated substantial public disapproval, with 86 percent of respondents surveyed, including approximately 80 percent of Republicans, characterizing the use of taxpayer money as inappropriate. Some Republican officials, including Senator Thom Tillis, have publicly opposed the advertising approach.
The Democratic lawsuit was filed in Washington, DC, while Common Cause’s complaint was filed in the Southern District of New York. Both legal actions seek to have the advertisements declared unlawful, halt continued spending, and recover funds already expended on the campaign.
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