The administration allocated $20 million for the effort through Customs and Border Protection, which awarded an advertising company a contract for a national media campaign on Sept. 20. Television airtime has cost at least $2.5 million, AdImpact estimates. The spots include material from Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and the White House is now airing a new ad celebrating his military campaign against Iran.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the government-funded ads don’t “merit any sort of FCC review,” despite a complaint from Public Citizen alleging they violate the federal prohibition on using public funds for government propaganda. Trump defended the campaign, saying, “I’m not promoting a candidate.” Senate Republican Leader John Thune rejected the funding arrangement: “It’s a great message, I like the message, but it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars.”