President Donald Trump helped select the imagery and video for several pro-administration television commercials that were funded by the U.S. government, according to a source told CNN. This personal involvement has coincided with a formal complaint filed by watchdog group Public Citizen with the Federal Communications Commission, which alleges the ads violate federal laws prohibiting the use of appropriated public funds for government propaganda. Public Citizen warned that broadcasters airing the spots could be held legally liable for broadcasting illegal propaganda.

The federal government has spent at least $1.7 million on three ads that aired on Fox News and during NFL games, including spots that repurposed imagery from Trump's 2024 campaign. The expenditures were drawn from Department of Homeland Security funds—specifically from Customs and Border Protection—after a $20 million transfer from the Office of Management and Budget. While some GOP senators have praised the ads' messages, Senate Republican Leader John Thune stated that taxpayers should not foot the bill for commercials lauding the president.