Political Guyentist
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[UPDATE] Thune breaks with Trump over $1.5 million in taxpayer-funded White House ads

Three ads, about $1.5 million so far, aired during NFL and college football games, Sept. 25-27.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said taxpayers shouldn't fund the White House's three 'PSA' ads, which have cost about $1.5 million so far. "It's a great message. I like the message. But it shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars," he said. That puts him alongside Democratic appropriators who called the ads propaganda; spending bills have barred funds for "publicity or propaganda" since 1951. The White House says the ads are "clearly not political."

PREVIOUSLY

Sept. 28 — The White House aired a taxpayer-funded ad that reruns a 2024 Trump campaign spot, spending about $319,000 on it by Sept. 27, according to ad tracker AdImpact.

Where the money went:

  • About $1.5 million across all three ads so far, per AdImpact; NBC's later count puts it above $1.7 million.
  • Nearly $920,000 on the 'Love Me' ad; the 'Final Battle' rerun is past $362,000, up from the $319,000 first reported.
  • $315,967 on NFL and college football airtime for all three ads, Sept. 25-27.