The Trump administration spent about $19 million in taxpayer money on TV ads starring Donald Trump, weeks before the midterms. That number comes from the administration's own sworn court filing.
And the White House says Trump has no plans to pay any of it back.
$20 Million Pulled From Border Money
Last month, the White House budget office took $20 million from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for what it called "OBBBA commemorative events." That is Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill.
The money went to TV airtime instead. A Homeland Security official swore in court that an ad firm bought spots through Oct. 11 at a cost of roughly $19 million.
Money Congress set aside for the border ended up buying Trump wall-to-wall airtime on CBS, CNN, Fox News and more.
These Are Campaign Ads in Disguise
The White House made at least 13 campaign-style spots. One was a straight replay of a 2024 Trump campaign ad. Others push his messaging on communism, Iran and the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
CNN reported Trump personally helped pick the imagery. At least one ad came from a pro-Trump meme group.
They started airing in late September. Right as Republicans head into a brutal midterm.
Trump Won't Pay It Back
After bipartisan backlash, Trump posted on Oct. 5 that he would cover future ads himself with money raised for his super PAC, MAGA Inc.
But the White House quickly clarified that the post was not about reimbursement. Asked directly if he would repay taxpayers, Trump said: "We'll decide."
A White House spokesperson later said Trump does not plan to reimburse the government. Six days after his promise, the taxpayer-funded ads were still on the air.
Even Republicans Couldn't Defend It
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, said the ads should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the money be returned and called for a full investigation. He also warned that shifting the ads to a super PAC could be illegal coordination.
Legal experts flagged a federal ban on using appropriated money for "publicity or propaganda." Common Cause and the Democratic National Committee both sued.
A Federal Judge Pulled the Plug
On Sunday night, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon ordered the administration to cancel every remaining ad, including spots set to air that same evening.
In her temporary restraining order, she found the challengers are likely to win on the merits. The order bars new ad buys for two weeks.
The Justice Department argued the case was moot because the ads were ending anyway. The judge rejected that.
The White House Calls It a PSA
The administration insists these are routine public service announcements, like past ads for Medicare or vaccines. Trump said they were "for the spirit of our country", not for Republican candidates.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin dodged on refunds on CBS, saying he is all for ads that brag about America.
Public service announcements don't usually star the president a month before an election.
The Bottom Line
Trump took $19 million meant for the border and spent it making himself look good on TV before the midterms. Now his White House says taxpayers will never see that money again. It took a federal judge to make him stop. Republicans run on cutting waste. This is what waste looks like.
Sources: AP (Ali Swenson, Seung Min Kim), CNN, ABC News (Mariam Khan), CBS News, Politico and the court's Oct. 11 order in Common Cause v. DHS.