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DNC Sues Trump Over $20M in Federal Funds Used for Ads
Confirmed
In Short: The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging the Trump administration illegally used $20 million in federal funds for partisan propaganda ads.
The lawsuit, filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia, claims the ads violate federal laws prohibiting the use of government resources for propaganda.
According to the complaint, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) transferred the funds from a Customs and Border Protection account labeled 'Commemorative Events,' which was intended for memorial services and other commemorative activities.
The DNC lawsuit targets the Department of Homeland Security and the OMB, seeking to block further payments and recover money already spent.
The ads, which began airing last month, have cost taxpayers about $12.6 million and generated an estimated 1.39 billion impressions, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit specifically mentions five ads: 'The Country He Loves,' one celebrating the capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, 'The Final Battle,' 'Mount Rushmore,' and 'American Military Power.'
A White House official previously told the Washington Examiner that the 'Country He Loves' ad is 'clearly not political' and does not 'have a call to action.'
The DNC argues that the campaign unfairly benefits Republican candidates by preserving private political funds for competitive congressional races.
Public Citizen, a nonpartisan watchdog, filed a separate lawsuit Wednesday, alleging an illegal misuse of funds.
Legal experts have suggested the ads run afoul of a federal statute against congressionally appropriated money being used for 'publicity or propaganda,' and potentially other federal laws.
The administration has defended the spots as public service announcements that are 'educational and unapologetically patriotic.'
The DNC lawsuit asks a judge to stop the administration from using congressionally appropriated funds for 'publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States not heretofore authorized by Congress.'
What this adds
The lawsuits add new details about the specific ads and the legal arguments against their use of federal funds.
Background
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the Trump administration’s emergency bid to enforce new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) restrictions on mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, leaving a lower court’s nationwide block in place.
What's confirmed
- But on Tuesday, the fifth ad in the campaign began airing with the notice “paid for by the U.S. Government,” promoting Trump’s military actions in Venezuela earlier this year.
- District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the ads are illegal government-sponsored propaganda and accuses Trump of personally directing them.
- Later Wednesday, a coalition including the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause filed a separate lawsuit, also alleging an illegal misuse of funds.
What's still developing
- "The President has nationalized the midterm election, made himself the center of a two-day ‘midterm convention,’ and repeatedly directed voters to ‘pretend that I am on the ballot.’" The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) transferred the funds from money authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to court filings.
- "As gas and grocery costs rise and his approval numbers continue to crater, this president has stooped to taking money from a fund intended for memorials for Americans killed in the line of duty to promote his failed policies," he said in a statement.
- Democrats argue the spending violated federal restrictions on government-funded propaganda and are seeking a court order blocking further payments.
- Lawsuits claim government funds were used for partisan propaganda in violation of law. 12 outlets told this the same way.
- Not found in: KTTC, Democracy Docket, AP News, The Guardian, Fox News, NBC News, Reuters, Washington Post, Axios, Al Jazeera The lawsuits said Trump directed the White House to repurpose $20m in funds that Congress allocated for commemorative activities related to border security, and they argued the maneuver violates the separation of powers in the US Constitution.
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- According to court documents obtained by Radar, the Democratic National Committee filed a 31-page complaint on October 7 in Washington, D.C., accusing Trump and his administration of illegally diverting $20million in federal funds to finance what Democrats describe as partisan propaganda.
- Democrats allege Trump personally directed a $20million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign.
- “I’m not promoting myself because I’m not running for office,” Trump said of the ads last week.
Sources
- Bozeman Daily Chroniclelink
- Common Dreamslink
- Democracy Docketlink
- Fox Newslink
- Justthenewslink
- Law Commentarylink
- Law360link
- NewsCordlink
- Ottumwa Courierlink
- PBSlink
- PinalCentral.comlink
- RadarOnlinelink
- The Tribune-Democratlink
- Washington Examinerlink
- WarpBeat — background on Trump administration again asks for emergency relief link