AdImpact estimates that the government has spent at least $2.5 million on airtime for the ads to date. Bipartisan critics and GOP senators have condemned the expenditure, with Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina likening the commercials to the rhetoric of Viktor Orbán. House Democrats and Senator Susan Collins allege the money was diverted from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” intended for border security, while Representative Thomas Massie compared the use of taxpayer funds for such ads to practices seen in “banana republics.”
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Trump's $20M CBP Ad Spend Draws Legal Action From Musician
US Politics20 days ago
Attorneys for the singer JMSN have issued a cease-and-desist order to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after the administration aired pro-Trump television commercials using his song “Love Me” without authorization. The Trump administration awarded a $20 million contract to an advertising firm for a “national media campaign” on Sept. 20, following a transfer of funds from the Office of Management and Budget to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sept. 19. The spots, which began airing on Sept. 23 and are labeled as “paid for by the U.S. government,” are defended by the White House as non-political public service announcements.
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