Border security budget funds Trump adverts
US media report that at least $1.7 million has been spent on adverts featuring Donald Trump.
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The Trump administration has used money from the US Department of Homeland Security for television adverts portraying the president positively. The funding has drawn criticism because the money was originally intended for border policy and border security.
According to public budget data, money was transferred on 19 September to an account belonging to Customs and Border Protection, the border security agency under the Department of Homeland Security. A day later, advertising agency LMD Agency received a $20 million contract for a national media campaign.
The adverts include footage of Trump celebrating US independence and at Mount Rushmore. According to an estimate by AdImpact, at least $1.7 million was spent on three adverts in which Trump features prominently.
Democratic members of Congress are seeking an explanation of the arrangement and whether the money could legally be used under the budget law. They describe the adverts as political promotion funded by taxpayers. Some Republicans have also criticised the administration's choice.
The White House denies this. According to a spokesperson, the videos are public information messages intended to remind Americans that they should love their country and understand what protecting it means.
The debate is therefore not only about the content of the adverts, but also about the boundary between government information and political promotion. The adverts do not formally call on people to vote for a candidate, but they do use imagery and language closely aligned with Trump's political communication.
Whether the spending was legally impermissible has not yet been established by a court. It is clear, however, that money from a border security budget went towards a media campaign in which the president plays a central role. Congress can demand further information and accountability.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- DHS and CBP money was used for a media campaign featuring Donald Trump.
- The White House calls the adverts public information.
- Critics and some members of Congress see political promotion funded by taxpayers.
Left
Arguments Public money should not be used to personally promote a sitting president, especially when social programmes are simultaneously under pressure.
Values Democratic equality, public accountability and limits on the abuse of power.
Consequences Strict rules and independent oversight can prevent propaganda, but may also restrict government communication.
Centre
Arguments Information about national security can be legitimate, but the funding, message and role of the president must be transparent and subject to scrutiny.
Values Institutional integrity, transparency and proportionate government.
Consequences Clear budget rules and oversight can clarify the difference between information and campaigning.
Right
Arguments The government must be able to explain its policies directly to citizens and may use existing communication budgets for this if the message falls within the statutory purpose.
Values Administrative effectiveness, national pride and executive responsibility.
Consequences Broad communication powers can make policies easier to understand, but increase the risk that public funds will be used for party-political purposes.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The funding, contract and political criticism were confirmed by ABC News and AP. The text distinguishes between demonstrable flows of money and legal conclusions that have not yet been proven.
- confirmed The money was used for the campaign through an account belonging to Customs and Border Protection. — ABC News refers to budget data and sources. source
- confirmed LMD Agency received a $20 million contract. — The amount and contract date are stated in the reporting. source
- confirmed At least $1.7 million was spent on three adverts featuring Trump. — Estimate by AdImpact, cited by ABC News. source
- uncertain The use of the money was unlawful. — Critics make this claim, but no judicial ruling is mentioned. source
Editor's note
The flow of money and the adverts have been described by multiple sources. The legal characterisation as propaganda or unlawful use is not yet a judicial ruling.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „donald trump”
- NOS — „donald trump”
- Het Parool — „donald trump”