President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended a recent slate of campaign ads that say they were paid for by the U.S. government, arguing the spots are promoting the country rather than his own political interests.
“Now, if somebody said that that’s wrong, I’ll gladly pay the money,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about criticism that the ads, which began running last week, might violate federal anti-propaganda laws. “I’m not promoting myself because I’m not running for office. I’m promoting the country.”
His comments follow revelations that Customs and Border Protection had awarded a $20 million contract for a national media campaign days before the ads began airing.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have criticized the spending as potentially illegal and a misuse of taxpayer funds, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who this week called them “a great message” that “shouldn’t be paid for by taxpayer dollars.”
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“That’s an ad for the spirit of our country,” Trump said Wednesday.
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