Federal budget records show that the money was moved into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) account for “commemorative events” on September 19. Federal contract data shows that a $20 million contract was awarded the following day to the LMD Agency, a Maryland-based advertising agency, for a “National Media Campaign.” Days later, the advertisements began airing.
CBP is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for securing the nation's borders and ports of entry. The funds appear to have been drawn from Trump's signature tax and spending bill, which was passed in 2025. The legislation provided $6.2 billion for a range of border security improvements, as well as for “commemorating efforts and events related to border security.”
The LMD Agency did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the source of the federal funds used for the advertisements.
The Department of Homeland Security has previously used funds for advertising campaigns, including spending millions of dollars on advertisements encouraging people who are in the country illegally to self-deport.
According to an estimate from AdImpact, which tracks and analyzes political advertising expenditure across television, digital and connected TV channels, the federal government has spent at least .7 million to air three different television advertisements featuring Trump in recent days.
Critics argue that the advertisements could violate federal propaganda law. The White House has defended them as “public service announcements,” drawing comparisons with previous administrations' public service campaigns highlighting new drug coverage under Medicare and sign-ups for the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
The Department of Homeland Security directed inquiries to the White House. In a statement to ABC News, a White House spokesperson defended the advertisements, saying: “These public service announcements are about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad. The ad is educational and unapologetically patriotic. We should be proud of our country.”
The issue has also prompted a response from Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee. The lawmakers sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers about how the funds were allocated, whether the advertisements are expected to continue and what role the department played in facilitating their broadcast.
“The American people deserve answers about how this president is literally stealing their tax dollars to air campaign ads celebrating himself -- while doing nothing to help them afford health care or housing,” the Democrats said.
The controversy centers on the use of federal funding designated for border security-related efforts and commemorative events to finance a media campaign featuring the president. Questions over the campaign's funding, purpose and potential legal implications remain central to the scrutiny surrounding the advertisements.
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