At least $10.1 million in taxpayer money had been spent on the campaign by Monday evening, AdImpact estimated. Customs and Border Protection awarded a $20 million contract for a national media campaign on Sept. 20, a day after receiving that amount from the Office of Management and Budget. The White House confirmed Tuesday that Trump would not reimburse the government for past spending.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to file a Federal Election Commission complaint alleging illegal coordination between Trump and MAGA Inc. over the funding announcement. The administration has defended the spots as public service announcements. Vice President JD Vance said Monday: “If you look at the message of those advertisements, they are not partisan, it's not like we're advocating for a particular candidate.”