A television advertisement featuring President Trump started airing on cable Wednesday with a notice that the federal government paid for the spot. The commercial features images of the president and a choir singing "love me," and includes segments of Trump discussing the defeat of communism. Democrats and other critics argue the spending violates federal ethics rules and laws that prohibit the use of taxpayer money for publicity or propaganda in political campaigns.

The White House defended the expenditure as a public service announcement that contains no political message. Other critics contend that the administration should have utilized political action committee funds rather than government resources to finance the promotion.