Trump campaign ad paid by U.S. taxpayers triggers Hatch Act concerns
A 30-second spot funded with federal dollars and aired on Fox News and Newsmax prompts Democratic accusations of law violations as midterms near.
What to know
- The Trump administration aired a 30-second campaign advertisement featuring the president and UFC CEO Dana White, marked "Paid for by the U.S. Government," on Fox News and Newsmax.
- The White House characterized the ad as an "educational and unapologetically patriotic" public service announcement; Democrats argue it violates the Hatch Act and congressional funding prohibitions on political campaign spending.
- Cabinet officials including Attorney General Todd Blanche, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have campaigned for GOP candidates using federal resources, extending a pattern Slate argues reveals Trump's anxiety about midterm losses.
“We need guys like this man right here having our back in Congress.”
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense · Slate ↗ · Sep 23
Donald Trump President
Rep. Jamie Raskin Maryland Democrat
Pete Hegseth Secretary of Defense
Todd Blanche Attorney General
Dana White UFC CEO
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles
-
1
Rep. Raskin accuses Trump of felony theft of government property
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, characterized the ad as potential criminal conduct, claiming it constitutes misuse of federal funds for political purposes in violation of the Hatch Act and congressional funding restrictions.
“This may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes.”
— Rep. Jamie Raskin -
It’s midterm season. Do you know where your tax dollars are?
-
-
background
White House defends ad as patriotic public service announcement — The White House issued a statement to the New York Times characterizing the ad as an "educational and unapologetically patriotic" public service announcement rather than a campaign vehicle.
-
background
Trump administration airs taxpayer-funded campaign ad — A 30-second television advertisement featuring Trump pledging to "defeat communism, socialism, and Marxism in America" and UFC CEO Dana White praising him aired on Newsmax and Fox News. The ad's disclaimer stated it was "Paid for by the U.S. Government."
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
-
first by Slate, 4d ago · also Slate Magazine