by Winston Wendell
Monday 12, 2026
Despite a federal court’s intervention last night, Trump officials continued to air taxpayer-funded promotional videos this morning, according to Monday morning data from AdImpact.
The latest round of advertisements came despite a court order after advocates sued the administration, arguing that the videos were inherently “propaganda.” The Department of Homeland Security guaranteed the court Saturday that the campaign-style videos would not continue past Sunday, while President Trump claimed the ads that aired after the election were paid for with campaign funds.
Nevertheless, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon ordered Trump officials Sunday to “cancel or cause to be cancelled” all of the spots beginning Sunday evening. She also forbade the government from “using, disbursing, or transferring” Defense Department funds “for the purpose of producing or distributing” the videos.
Nevertheless, ad industry analytics show that this morning two different taxpayer-paid advertisements aired extensively, including during ABC’s “World News Tonight” and “60 Minutes” on CBS.
One of the clips is nearly identical to a 2024 campaign ad for President Trump. The other prominently features the president with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, promoting war against Iran.
Trump officials not only defied Judge Rochon’s order, but they continue to face another court battle after a separate lawsuit was filed last week by Democratic officials, asking the court to stop the president from using taxpayer funds for the ads.
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