FCC chair says taxpayer-funded Trump advertisements need no review
Brendan Carr likened the advertisements to public service announcements as lawmakers from both parties questioned their content and use of public money.
Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr said the taxpayer-funded advertisements promoting the Trump administration did not warrant review by the broadcast regulator, comparing them to public service announcements.
The White House has defended the spots as non-campaign announcements. But lawmakers from both parties have questioned whether they amount to publicly funded political propaganda and whether taxpayer money should pay for them.
Democratic senators Patty Murray and Chris Murphy asked the Department of Homeland Security to stop funding the advertisements. Their letter said the department planned to spend $20 million on them.
Republican Senator John Thune said he agreed with the message in one advertisement but opposed its being paid for with taxpayer money. Democratic lawmakers have alleged misuse of public funds and raised possible legal consequences; no legal finding is reported.
Separately, lawyers for musician JMSN wrote to the White House over the use of his song in an advertisement, saying he did not want to be associated with Trump or his administration. The source reports no outcome on either the funding request or the song dispute.
