The administration allocated $20 million to the campaign from Customs and Border Protection funds, with the agency awarding an advertising contract on Sept. 20. The ads began airing Sept. 23 and included material from Trump’s 2024 campaign. The New York Times reported that Trump personally directed budget chief Russ Vought to find the funding and that budget office and White House lawyers approved the move as legal.
The funding reversal followed bipartisan criticism and complaints alleging the ads violated federal restrictions on government propaganda. Senate Republican Leader John Thune said, “It’s a great message, I like the message, but it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars.” The administration defended the spots as public service announcements, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said they did not merit FCC review.