Trump administration ordered to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads

Updated on: October 12, 2026 / 12:06 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Trump administration ordered to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads

TL;DR

  • A federal judge ordered President Trump to cancel taxpayer-funded TV commercials promoting his political message.
  • The judge granted a temporary restraining order, siding with a coalition that challenged the ads as an illegal misuse of funds.
  • The Department of Homeland Security used $20 million in taxpayer money for the ads, which legal experts suggested violated federal statutes.
  • The White House defended the ads as public service announcements, but critics noted they glorified Trump and echoed his political messaging.
  • Amid backlash, Trump stated he would pay for the ads from his political fundraising, though there were no immediate plans to reimburse the government for money already spent.
  • An artist also sent a cease-and-desist letter, demanding the administration stop using his song in one of the ads.