White House claims pro-Trump ad it paid Fox to air was ‘public service announcement’

Some Democrats say taxpayer-funded ad could be illegal government propaganda aimed at influencing voters

The White House on Friday defended its decision to use taxpayer funds to buy airtime on Fox News for a White House-produced, pro-Trump ad that some Democrats said could be illegal government propaganda aimed at influencing voters in the upcoming midterm elections.

In a lengthy statement sent to news outlets, the White House press office insisted that versions of the ad, which feature audio of Trump urging voters to help him defeat communism" and a whirlwind video review of his second term, were simply routine public service announcements" like those produced by previous administrations.