Trump used taxpayer money for ads praising his presidency, reports say

President Donald Trump personally instructed his budget director to allocate federal funds for television advertisements that highlight his presidency, initiating a contract valued at roughly US$20 million. The funding was drawn from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and directed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of DHS.

According to officials familiar with the process, Trump asked Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought to identify the necessary money within the government. Counsel for the budget office, Mark Paoletta, and White House counsel Will Scharf both advised that using DHS resources for the ads would be permissible under existing regulations. The president and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles also discussed the advertising plan with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

On 20 September, Customs and Border Protection awarded the advertising contract to LMD, a marketing firm based in Maryland, as documented in federal records. The agreement authorizes the production and placement of the ads across a range of television outlets.

The advertisements have been broadcast on both cable and network channels, including Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, as well as during football games on Fox. They have also appeared on national newscasts on CBS, ABC and NBC, with placements on programs such as “Meet the Press,” a show the president is known to watch.

The campaign comes at a time when President Trump’s approval ratings have declined, prompting the administration to use taxpayer‑funded advertising to promote a positive view of his tenure.