Federal judge orders temporary halt to taxpayer-funded pro-Trump TV ads
New York judge also orders administration to cancel remaining portion of a $20m advertising purchase
TL;DR
- A federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting President Trump.
- The restraining order is in effect for at least 14 days and prohibits the administration from developing, creating, or airing the ads.
- The administration must also cancel the remaining portion of a $20 million advertising purchase.
- The ruling was issued amid a legal challenge by government watchdog Common Cause and others, who argued the ads used public funds to influence elections.
- The plaintiffs contended the ads were a "blatant abuse of authority" and used taxpayer dollars for "publicity and propaganda."
- The judge found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits, would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction, and that the balance of equities and public interest favored an injunction.
- President Trump stated he considered the ads "a positive promotion" for the US and claimed he would fund them himself if necessary.
- The Democratic National Committee filed a similar lawsuit against the Trump administration.
- The ads have cost taxpayers over $12 million and have sparked bipartisan criticism.
- The ads have aired on major networks and during popular programming, with unaired ads reportedly including controversial content.