A new federally funded advertising campaign featuring President Trump began airing on national cable and major networks, including CBS, on Thursday.
The first commercial debuted Wednesday on Fox News Channel during “Primetime with Jesse Watters” and featured an on-screen disclosure stating it was paid for by the U.S. government. The spot opens with Mr. Trump declaring, “We will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America,” set to a soundtrack of JMSN’s song “Love Me.” Visuals include flash-cut photographs from the president’s second administration showing him at rallies, pardoning turkeys, at the White House with Christmas decorations, standing with the FIFA trophy, and flanked by military leaders and flags. Text on screen repeatedly flashes “America will never be a communist country” alongside highlights of tax cuts, domestic manufacturing support, and law enforcement backing. The spot concludes with UFC CEO Dana White stating, “He’s the toughest, most resilient (man) I’ve ever met and nothing was going to stop him from fighting so hard for the country he loves.”
Music Licensing Dispute and Second Ad Release
Musician JMSN stated on X that he never granted a license for his song “Love Me” to be used in the broadcast. He wrote that he would never authorize his music to be used for any political agenda or campaign and indicated that no one sought his permission. Meanwhile, a second ad aired Thursday evening on CBS stations and other networks, recounting the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, while featuring Mr. Trump and top Cabinet officials. CBS News learned that multiple versions of the ads exist in both 30-second and 60-second formats.
Did You Know? During the Biden administration, all living presidents except Mr. Trump appeared in a public service announcement to encourage Americans to obtain a COVID vaccination, marking a contrast in how previous administrations utilized government-produced broadcast spots.
The White House defended the campaign against criticism, asserting that the spots are public service announcements rather than political commercials. A White House spokesperson stated the ads are educational, unapologetically patriotic, and meant to remind Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending at home, at the borders, and abroad. A White House official added that the president is not on the ballot and the ads contain no call to action.
Congressional Pushback and Legal Questions
Democratic lawmakers responded to the campaign with sharp opposition. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire wrote to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles demanding cost information and asserting that the ads raise deep concerns about taxpayer spending and lack a clear official government purpose. Hassan argued the campaign appears to run afoul of federal prohibitions against using appropriated funds for general propaganda designed to aid a political party or candidates.
In a separate letter, top Democratic appropriators—including Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, and Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland—demanded the ads be pulled immediately. They compared the broadcasts to government propaganda found in North Korea and labeled the spending an egregious and illegal misuse of tax dollars. Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada is also attempting to introduce an amendment Thursday to a pending bill designed to ban political ads featuring Cabinet members paid for with tax dollars.
Expert Insight: Columbia University law professor Richard Briffault noted that while the commercial likely does not violate election law because it does not directly support or endorse a candidate for public office, legitimate questions remain regarding whether the spot crosses legal boundaries set by federal propaganda prohibitions.
What May Happen Next
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is paying for the new ad campaign featuring President Trump?
The campaign is being paid for by American taxpayers, with the U.S. government producing the content and funding the air time through an ad agency.
What song is used in the first ad, and did the artist authorize it?
The first ad uses JMSN’s song “Love Me.” JMSN stated on X that he never authorized his music to be used for any political agenda or campaign and that no one asked him for permission.
How has the White House characterized the broadcast spots?
The White House denied that the commercials are political ads, calling them public service announcements designed to remind Americans to love their country and note that the president is not on the ballot.
? How should federal funds be managed when producing publicly broadcast educational or patriotic announcements?
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