‘God Made Trump’ is just one of the president’s taxpayer-funded ads set to hit airwaves for midterm blitz
Por Erin Keller — – World RSS Feed
‘God Made Trump’ is just one of the president’s taxpayer-funded ads set to hit airwaves for midterm blitz
The White House has defended the ad campaign as ‘educational’ and ‘unapologetically patriotic’
Erin Keller In Ohio Saturday 03 October 2026 16:36 BST
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Taxpayer-funded ads featuring President Donald Trump are hitting the airwaves with fighter jets, military footage, glowing praise and one striking declaration: “God made Trump.”
CNN obtained 12 of the 13 ads, which the Trump administration calls “public service announcements,” offering a look at a government-funded campaign focused heavily on Trump and his record, the outlet reported Friday.
The spots feature Trump alongside fighter jets and Marine One, tout his military actions in Iran and efforts to arrest Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and even celebrate the UFC event he hosted on the White House lawn.
The ads range from 15 seconds to three minutes and end with the disclaimer “Paid for by the U.S. Government.” One, titled “God Made Trump,” was shown at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas last month.
In the ad, a narrator declares: “I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle the deep state. So God made Trump.”
Another spot, titled “Final Battle,” was not among the ads CNN obtained but has also aired as the administration expands the campaign ahead of the November midterm elections.
The campaign has drawn scrutiny over its use of taxpayer money and Trump’s prominent role in the ads. Critics have questioned whether the spots violate federal laws governing government resources, while their timing, just weeks before the midterms, has also raised concerns.
The White House has reportedly allocated $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security for the campaign, with at least $2.5 million already spent on airtime. More ads are expected to run in the weeks ahead.
Trump has reportedly taken a hands-on role in the campaign, personally selecting some of the government-funded ads that will air. Former Trump White House communications director Mike Dubke also suggested the administration may have given CNN access to the ads knowing the network would air clips, effectively giving Trump additional television exposure.
The use of taxpayer money has prompted criticism from lawmakers in both parties.
Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan”: “I don’t think any public official, including President Trump or Kristi Noem or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private ads for themselves.”
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said the ads “may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes.” Raskin’s statement is an allegation and does not represent an established legal finding.
The White House has defended the campaign, telling The Independent in a statement earlier this week: “These public service announcements are about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad.”
“The ad is educational and unapologetically patriotic. We should be proud of our country,” the White House added.
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