DNC sues Trump over taxpayer-funded ads aired before midterm voting

The Democratic National Committee has sued Donald Trump's administration over television advertisements funded by the government. The case tests whether taxpayer money was used to amplify campaign-style messaging before the midterms.Stock photo used for illustrationWashington,Oct 8, 2026 01:56 ISTThe Democratic National Committee has sued US President Donald Trump's administration over recent television advertisements that it says promoted his political message using taxpayer money. The lawsuit asks a federal court in Washington to declare the advertisements illegal and stop the use of federal funds to pay for them.The advertisements, which began airing in September, have drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans as early voting is under way and the midterm elections are less than a month away. According to media tracking firm AdImpact, the spots have already cost more than USD 12 million to air, while a total of USD 20 million in Department of Homeland Security funding has been used for them.In its complaint, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the DNC alleges that the advertisements are illegal government-sponsored propaganda and accuses Trump of personally directing them. DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement that Trump was misusing taxpayer money in 'a last-ditch attempt to save Republicans in November'. He added, 'Americans deserve better than to have their hard-earned tax dollars used for Trump's illegal schemes.'Trump had defended the advertisements on Monday as 'positive promotion for our Great USA' but said they would be paid for by his MAGA Inc. super PAC going forward. However, a fifth advertisement in the campaign began airing on Tuesday with the notice 'paid for by the US Government', promoting Trump's military actions in Venezuela earlier this year. The same day, Trump indicated that he had not committed to reimbursing money already spent, telling reporters, 'we'll decide'. Legal experts have said the advertisements may breach a federal law that bars congressionally appropriated money from being used for 'publicity or propaganda', and possibly other federal laws. The Homeland Security money used for the advertisements comes from a USD 175 million package given by Congress to the department as part of Trump's immigration enforcement agenda. The White House has defended the advertisements as public service announcements similar to those used by past administrations to promote policies, though legal experts said the recent advertisements differ from many earlier campaigns because they are not aimed at helping people benefit from specific government programmes.The defendants named in the lawsuit are Trump, the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget, and they did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case centres on whether the administration illegally used public money for advertisements that praised Trump and echoed his campaign message in the run-up to the midterm elections. With PTI Inputs- Ends