Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Trump Says MAGA Funds Will Pay for Midterm Ads
Donald Trump said he will pay for political ads before the November midterm elections.
He said the money will come from funds raised for MAGA Inc., his political organization.
His announcement came after people criticized a government advertising campaign that reportedly cost $20 million.
The ads were paid for by the U.S. government and included messages about communism and a “final battle.”
The White House said the ads were public service announcements meant to promote patriotism.
It also argued that they were not political because Trump was not running in the election and the ads did not tell people to vote.
Critics from both parties said taxpayer money should not be used this way.
Trump’s new plan is to use political funds for the ads instead of public funds.
Donald Trump said Monday he would pay for political ads ahead of November’s midterm elections using money raised for MAGA Inc.
The announcement followed criticism of a $20 million advertising campaign run through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The ads included messages warning of a “final battle” and declaring that America would never be a communist country.
The White House defended the ads as public service announcements promoting patriotism and national pride, and said they were not political because Trump was not on the ballot and they did not urge viewers to vote.
Republican and Democratic critics objected to the use of taxpayer money; Senator John Kennedy said public funds could not be used to promote the president, while Senator John Hickenlooper called the ads propaganda.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House, and critics from both political parties.
- What
- Trump said he would fund political ads with money raised for MAGA Inc. after criticism of taxpayer-funded advertisements.
- When
- Trump made the announcement on Monday, ahead of November’s midterm elections; the article was published October 6, 2026.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Trump said he would pay for the ads himself after a government-funded advertising campaign drew criticism for allegedly promoting him and his political message.
Critics of taxpayer-funded ads
White House defense
Use of public money
Critics of taxpayer-funded ads
Critics from both parties objected to taxpayer funds being used for the ads. Republican Senator John Kennedy said public money could not be used to promote the president; Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper called the ads propaganda.
White House defense
The White House defended the advertisements as public service announcements and said they were not political because Trump was not on the ballot and they did not directly ask viewers to vote.
Purpose and message
Critics of taxpayer-funded ads
Critics said the campaign promoted Trump and his political message; Hickenlooper described the ads as “illegal” and “un-American.”
White House defense
The White House said the ads promoted patriotism and national pride and compared them with public information campaigns run by previous administrations.
- Funding plan
- Trump said the ads would be paid for with money he raised for MAGA Inc., rather than public funds.
- Earlier campaign
- A $20 million advertising campaign ran through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- Election timing
- The political ads were planned ahead of November’s midterm elections.
- White House explanation
- The White House described the advertisements as public service announcements promoting patriotism and national pride.
- Ad content
- Reported spots included Trump saying America would never be a communist country and warning of a “final battle.”
- Criticism
- Criticism of the taxpayer-funded ads came from both Republicans and Democrats.
- Publication date
- October 6, 2026.
