The White House bought advertising space on CNN and MS NOW for a promotional campaign featuring President Donald Trump while simultaneously fighting to keep those news outlets off the White House grounds. The ads, which began airing on Sept. 23 and are paid for by the U.S. government, include footage of Trump promising to "demolish the deep state" and "rout the fake news media." The Trump administration has defended the spots as non-political public service announcements, though they have drawn condemnation from both Democrats and some Republicans.

The administration shifted $20 million from the Office of Management and Budget to Customs and Border Protection on Sept. 19 to finance the national media campaign. This diversion of Homeland Security funds led Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to compare the activity to political messaging in Hungary and prompted watchdog groups to file legal complaints. While FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated the ads are within standard government practice, attorney for the singer JMSN have issued a cease and desist for the unauthorized use of the song "Love Me" in the broadcasts.