Reuters/Ipsos poll: 86% oppose taxpayer-funded campaign-style Trump ads
In short
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 86 percent of U.S. adults said using taxpayer money for a $20 million campaign-style advertising campaign featuring President Trump was inappropriate, with 9 percent in support. Axios reported nearly nine in 10 voters opposed such spending, including 80 percent of Republicans. Trump has said his super PAC, MAGA, Inc., will pay for future “Patriotic Ads” after backlash that included Republican allies.
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A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 86 percent of U.S. adults said it was inappropriate to use taxpayer money for a $20 million campaign-style advertising campaign featuring President Trump, with 9 percent in support, The Hill reported. Axios reported that nearly nine in 10 voters opposed election-related ads featuring the president or Cabinet members paid for with taxpayer money, including 80 percent of Republicans. The survey covered 4,506 adults, Axios said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The 30-second commercial, released ahead of the midterm elections, featured a voiceover of Trump pushing back on the influence of communism, socialism and Marxism in the U.S., The Hill reported. According to Axios, the White House said the spots “are a reminder for Americans to love their country,” and the administration insisted they were public service announcements. Axios reported that the decision to spend millions of taxpayer dollars weeks before the midterms drew an uproar and overwhelming public opposition. [ 2 , 3 ]
Trump said he would have his super PAC, MAGA, Inc., pay for future “Patriotic Ads” after the backlash, which The Hill said included Republican allies. “The Radical Left is upset with the fact that I am taking Ads, which I consider to be a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A., and paying for them with U.S.A. money,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had decided to pay for the ads himself “and with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.” Axios reported that the super PAC would fund future ads but would not reimburse the taxpayer dollars already spent. [ 2 , 3 ]
Criticism crossed party lines in Congress. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters the ads carried a “great message” but criticised the use of taxpayer funds, and Sen. Mike Rounds said the approach was “not something I would have done,” according to The Hill. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics attorney, suggested the use of taxpayer dollars for the spots could be “an impeachable offense.” The same survey found 72 percent disapproved of naming federal institutions after a sitting president, The Hill and Axios reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The poll numbers put public opinion on record against an administration spending decision made weeks before the midterm elections, and the criticism from Republican senators shows the issue divided the president's own party. Trump's move to shift future ad funding to an affiliated super PAC closes the payment question for new spots but, per Axios, leaves the money already spent unreimbursed.
Key facts
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 86 percent of U.S. adults considered the use of taxpayer money for a $20 million campaign-style ad campaign inappropriate, while 9 percent supported it. [ 2 ]
- Axios reported nearly nine in 10 voters opposed taxpayer-funded election-related ads featuring the president or Cabinet members, including 80 percent of Republicans. [ 3 ]
- The 30-second commercial featured a voiceover of Trump pushing back on the influence of communism, socialism and Marxism in the U.S. ahead of the midterm elections. [ 2 ]
- Trump said his super PAC, MAGA, Inc., will fund future “Patriotic Ads” after the backlash. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The poll covered 4,506 adults, according to Axios. [ 3 ]
- The same survey found 72 percent disapproved of naming federal institutions after a sitting president. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that most Americans consider taxpayer-funded, election-related advertising featuring the president or Cabinet members inappropriate. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Nine percent of respondents found the use of taxpayer funds for the ads appropriate. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Trump said his super PAC, MAGA, Inc., will pay for future “Patriotic Ads” following the backlash. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The backlash included Republican allies. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the taxpayer money already spent on the ads will be reimbursed. Axios reported the super PAC would not reimburse the taxpayer dollars already spent, a detail no other document states.
- Whether the commercials were public service announcements or election-related campaign ads. Axios says the administration insisted the ads were PSAs, while the poll and coverage describe them as campaign-style election advertising; the documents do not resolve the characterization.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters publishes its report on the Reuters/Ipsos poll finding Americans skeptical of taxpayer-funded election ads. [ 1 ]
- The Hill reports that 86 percent of respondents disapproved of the $20 million ad campaign and that Trump will fund future ads through MAGA, Inc. [ 2 ]
- Axios reports that nearly nine in 10 voters, including 80 percent of Republicans, say taxpayer-funded election-related ads are inappropriate. [ 3 ]