Trump to pay for TV ads after pushback over taxpayer funding close to election

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he would pay for television advertisements himself or with money raised ‌from the Maga political committee after pushback over the use of taxpayer-funded television ads featuring him just before the November congressional elections.

Ethics experts and lawmakers from both parties ⁠have criticised the three nationally broadcast ads, which ‌celebrate a “golden age of America”.

Lawmakers have questioned whether public funds are being used ‌to promote Trump politically, while other ⁠critics ⁠say the spots may violate long-standing restrictions on government propaganda and ‌political activity.

The White House and Trump had vigorously defended the ads as simply patriotic public service announcements similar to ones done by previous presidents. But they still elicited criticism from both parties.