Fox News and several NFL broadcasts have aired a new series of commercials paid for by the federal government and featuring President Donald Trump. The most recent spot, released shortly before the midterms, depicts Trump walking through a hall while audio warns that a "final battle" is underway. This follows other taxpayer-funded broadcasts that used campaign scripts to promise the expulsion of "warmongers" from government and the demolition of the "deep state."

The Senate is probing whether these expenditures violate a federal ban on using public money for publicity or propaganda. Sen. Bernie Sanders alleged that Trump illegally used $430,000 for a 30-second spot on Fox, while other reports indicate total spending of at least $443,000. The White House has rejected claims of illegality, stating the advertisements are nonpartisan public service announcements because "patriotism isn’t partisan."