White House airs taxpayer-funded ad talking about ‘the final battle’
A taxpayer-funded advertisement produced by the White House aired Sunday during commercial breaks of two NFL games, CNN reported. The spot included footage of President Trump walking down a hallway with a voiceover in which he declared, “this is the final battle,” and urged action against communists, Marxists and what he called the “sick political class.”
Why It Matters
The placement and language of the federally funded ad drew attention because it ran during widely viewed sporting events and repeats themes similar to another recent government-funded spot that prompted bipartisan criticism. The use of taxpayer money for politically charged messaging and its timing ahead of elections raise questions about appropriate use of public funds, as reflected in media scrutiny and lawmaker reactions noted in coverage.
Key Facts
- Advertiser: White House (taxpayer-funded)
- Where it aired: Commercial breaks of NFL games: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders; Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers
- Source reporting the airing: CNN
- Notable lines in voiceover: “this is the final battle.”; “We will cast out the communists, Marxists, and fascists. We will throw off the sick political class that hates our country. We will rout the fake news media, and we will liberate America from these villains once and for all.”
- Outlet seeking comment: The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
A taxpayer-funded advertisement from the White House was broadcast Sunday during the commercial breaks of two NFL games, according to CNN. The spot featured footage of President Trump walking through a hallway while his voiceover included the line, “this is the final battle.”
CNN reported that the ad went on air during the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders, and also ran during the Cleveland Browns versus Carolina Panthers game. The voiceover included a series of forceful declarations: “We will cast out the communists, Marxists, and fascists. We will throw off the sick political class that hates our country. We will rout the fake news media, and we will liberate America from these villains once and for all,” the outlet reported.
The Hill has contacted the White House for further comment on the advertisement, CNN noted. Media coverage pointed out similarities between this spot and another recent federal ad produced under the Trump administration that also attracted bipartisan criticism; that earlier ad targeted communism, socialism and Marxism and included the president saying, “Together we will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America,” and “America will never be a communist country.”
Coverage of the previous ad observed it drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans and used the song “Love Me” by JMSN in its soundtrack. The airing of taxpayer-funded messaging with explicitly political language during major sporting events has therefore prompted renewed scrutiny from news outlets and lawmakers, according to the reporting.
Keep Reading
Palestine Action protesters arrested outside UK Labour Party conference
Venezuelans rally for opposition leader’s return and presidential elections
14 killed, a dozen missing as Nepal is hit by more floods and landslides
