The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court in Washington. The DNC is asking a judge to prevent President Trump from using taxpayer funds for a series of ads promoting himself, asserting that these ads constitute illegal government-sponsored propaganda.
Media tracking firm AdImpact reports that the ads, which include one recycled from Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, have cost taxpayers more than $12m to date. Ken Martin, the DNC chair, stated that Trump is misusing taxpayer dollars in an attempt to support Republicans in the upcoming November elections.
The DNC's complaint, filed in the US district court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the ads violate federal law, including a ban on congressionally appropriated money being used for "publicity or propaganda." The complaint also claims that President Trump personally directed this activity, with the White House office crafting the campaign and the Office of Management and Budget shifting $20m to fund it.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday found that 86% of Americans consider it inappropriate to use taxpayer funds for TV ads featuring the president around an election. This figure includes 80% of Republicans, with only 17% of the president's party approving of such ads.