Taxpayer-funded advertising: Judge orders Trump administration adverts removed from TV and social media

A US judge ordered the federal government to remove three taxpayer-funded Trump administration adverts from TV and social media. The ruling said the spots appeared political, not public service messages. One advert promotes the claim that every American will get USD 5,000. The claim was tied to Republicans holding the House and Senate in the midterm election.

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US District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon issued the order in New York after a coalition challenged the adverts. The group included the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause. Rochon directed officials to pull the adverts from government-run sites. The order also covered social platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, plus similar services.

Trump administration ads ordered off government websites

The adverts were titled USD 5,000 to Americans, Every Democrat Voted Against No Tax on Tips, and Cost of Socialism. Rochon said the government must take them down from all official channels. Rochon also required removals from social media pages run by the government. The decision applied to any online location controlled by federal agencies.

Rochon also ordered cancellations tied to future distribution of the Trump administration adverts. The order covered any slots, placements, reservations, or other arrangements. It also applied to authorised third parties involved in airing the adverts. The ruling named Trump’s flagship super PAC MAGA Inc. as one such third party.

Trump administration ads challenged as political messaging

Rochon ruled during a hearing about widening a temporary restraining order from two weeks earlier. That earlier order blocked a series of adverts. Rochon said the blocked adverts glorified President Donald Trump. Rochon also said they repeated political messaging ahead of the midterms.

The White House defended the Trump administration adverts as public service announcements. Officials compared them with adverts used by previous administrations to explain policies. The plaintiffs disagreed with that framing. The coalition said the recent adverts differed from many past announcements. The coalition said they did not help people use specific government programmes.

Trump administration ads removal ordered without delay

After issuing the order, Rochon stressed the timing and urgency for removing the Trump administration adverts. Rochon noted it was a Friday afternoon. Rochon said the government had no excuse for any delay. A government lawyer said he could immediately notify those responsible. The lawyer said the takedown steps could start at once.

With inputs from PTI