Trump admin creates at least 13 ads for taxpayer-funded campaign
The Trump administration has produced at least 13 campaign-style advertisements funded by taxpayer money. Critics argue the use of government funds for these spots, which feature the President and his policies, is an inappropriate use of public resources.
Why it matters
The story raises ethical and legal questions regarding the use of taxpayer-funded government communications for political promotion.
The Trump administration has created at least 13 campaign-style ads as part of its controversial taxpayer-funded, multi-million-dollar effort to promote President Donald Trump and his policies. Yet-to-be-aired spots include a trio of ads highlighting the US military and operations in Iran and Venezuela, one called “God Made Trump” and another recapping the UFC fight he hosted at the White House. Republicans and Democrats alike have questioned the wisdom of spending so much taxpayer money on the ads, which the White House has defended as public service announcements. CNN has obtained clips of 12 ads, which range from 15 seconds to three minutes long, including two that have already aired. They appear in a Dropbox account — which was shared with CNN — run by LMD, the agency that has been given the government contract for the ad buys. Each ends with “Paid for by the U.S.
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