WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump is facing a federal lawsuit over the alleged misappropriation of millions in taxpayer dollars to finance self-promoting political advertisements ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections.
The 31-page lawsuit, filed by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on October 7 in Washington, DC, alleges that the Trump administration illegally diverted $20 million in federal funds to bankroll a nationwide television campaign dubbed the “Love Me” advertisements.
According to court filings, the money was siphoned from US Customs and Border Protection. These funds were originally designated for Department of Homeland Security purposes, including border security commemorations, but were instead repurposed to promote Trump’s political image and his claims of defeating communism and socialism.
The DNC asserts that the advertisements blatantly violate federal restrictions that strictly prohibit the allocation of taxpayer funds for partisan publicity or propaganda, stating in the filing that “the partisan aim of the propaganda ads is beyond question.”
The lawsuit further highlights that the government-funded broadcasts continued to air even after Trump publicly announced on October 5 that his MAGA Inc. super PAC would take over financing the campaign. Court records reveal that at least $100,000 in public funds was spent on ads airing after that announcement.
The White House has defended the expenditure, claiming the broadcasts were intended to promote US government achievements rather than serve as political campaigning.
The legal challenge emerges as Trump grapples with severe domestic backlash and declining political capital. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that his approval rating has plummeted to a record low of 32 percent.
Analysts attribute this steep decline in popularity to his administration’s aggressive foreign policies—most notably the illegal war on Iran—and his failure to deliver on domestic promises of peace and economic prosperity. With the midterms fast approaching, the Republican Party is reportedly facing growing voter discontent and mounting anxiety over potential electoral losses.
Reference: PressTv