Trump says he will stop using taxpayer funds for self-promoting ads after backlash – US politics live

President Trump announced he will cease using taxpayer funds for self-promoting advertisements, stating they were "positive promotion for our Great USA" but that he will now personally cover their costs. This decision follows backlash after he suggested Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego. At a rally in Nebraska, Trump expressed hope for a "tremendous victory" in the upcoming midterm elections and defended high prices related to the conflict with Iran as a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe." California leaders have criticized Trump's remarks about Iran as "reckless" and "deranged."

President Donald Trump announced he will cease using taxpayer funds for television advertisements that feature him and promote his policies. This decision follows bipartisan criticism and concerns that the ads might violate laws prohibiting the use of public government funds for political advertising. Trump stated he will now fund these "Patriotic Ads" himself and through his MAGA Inc super political action committee. The ads, which have run recently and praise his administration's actions, come ahead of the November midterm elections.

President Donald Trump announced he will cease using taxpayer funds for television ads that feature him. This decision follows criticism from ethics experts and lawmakers from both parties who questioned the use of federal funds for campaign-style spots aired ahead of the midterm elections. The ads, which cost at least $1.5 million in federal funds, promoted themes such as America not being a communist country and a "golden age of America." Trump stated the ads will now be funded by himself or his MAGA PAC. The move comes amid calls for independent investigations into the use of public funds for the advertisements, with California's Attorney General labeling it a "staggering misuse of public funding."