Donald Trump to end taxpayer funding for his TV ads amid backlash

• Trump says future TV ads featuring him will be funded by MAGA Inc. or himself, not taxpayers, following bipartisan criticism

• The ads, promoting Trump and his policies, have drawn scrutiny over the use of federal funds and their resemblance to campaign material

• California AG Rob Bonta and Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations, while it remains unclear whether taxpayers will be reimbursed

US President Donald Trump has said he will stop using taxpayer money to fund television advertisements featuring him, following bipartisan criticism of the campaign-style spots aired ahead of the November midterm elections.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump defended the advertisements as a “positive promotion” for the United States but said he had decided to pay for the “Patriotic Ads” himself, using money raised by his political committee, MAGA Inc.

The ads, which began airing in late September, have cost at least $1.5 million in federal funds, according to estimates cited by US media. They have appeared during nationally televised programmes, including football games, and feature Trump promoting his administration and its policies.

One advertisement features Trump saying that “America will never be a communist country”, while another uses footage of Mount Rushmore and Trump describing a “golden age of America”. A third reportedly closely resembles material from Trump's 2024 campaign. The advertisements carry a disclaimer stating that they were paid for by the US government.

The campaign has drawn criticism from lawmakers and ethics experts across the political spectrum, who have questioned whether taxpayer money should be used for advertisements that prominently feature the president and resemble campaign material.

Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations into the spending. The administration had redirected $20 million in Department of Homeland Security funds for the wider advertising campaign, according to reports.

California attorney general Rob Bonta has also asked federal watchdogs to investigate the advertisements, alleging that public funds were being used for partisan political purposes. His office said the ads had cost taxpayers at least $5.5 million as of 5 October.

MAGA Inc., Trump's super PAC, had more than $400 million in funds, according to reports, allowing it to take over financing of the advertisements. It remains unclear whether previously spent taxpayer money will be reimbursed.

Trump's decision to shift future funding away from taxpayers comes as scrutiny over the advertisements intensifies, with the midterm elections approaching.

With agency inputs