The Trump administration has purchased advertising time on CNN and MS NOW, airing taxpayer-funded promotional spots for President Donald Trump despite previously banning both networks from White House grounds—a ban recently paused by a federal judge. The ads are presented by the administration as “public service announcements,” but critics, including Democrats and former ethics officials, argue they may violate government ethics laws due to their political content.

Since last week, three ads have aired in various local markets, with two—“The Country He Loves” and “Final Battle”—running on CNN and MS NOW. “The Country He Loves” features Trump pledging to “defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America” and has been broadcast to audiences in Los Angeles and Albany, New York. “Final Battle” takes a similar tone, with the president denouncing entities such as the “deep state,” “warmongers” and “globalists.” This ad has been seen by MS NOW viewers in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, with a single airing on CNN in Los Angeles.

Data from AdImpact estimates the administration has spent at least $2.87 million on the three advertisements overall, though the precise amount allocated specifically to CNN and MS NOW ads is unclear. The company noted the government classifies these ads as public service announcements rather than traditional political ads, restricting full disclosure of spending details. The majority of the ad budget has gone to major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, and Fox News, with MS NOW running 38 ads and CNN airing 10.

The decision to advertise on CNN and MS NOW is notable given President Trump’s ongoing efforts to exclude these outlets from White House access. The media bans, which also included Politico, were recently blocked by a federal judge who ruled the news organizations had a strong chance of winning a lawsuit against the White House. Following the ruling, the banned outlets were allowed back on White House grounds. However, the administration has maintained restrictions on CNN, barring the network from traveling aboard Air Force One and from holding the presidential television pool duties, which are not covered by the judge’s order.

Reports indicate that funds used to place the ads originated from the Department of Homeland Security, though the White House declined to confirm details of the expenditures. A White House statement described the ads as efforts to remind Americans “to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad.”

MS NOW spokesperson Richard Hudock acknowledged the administration's intent to reach their audience, emphasizing that accepting advertising is not an endorsement of its message and will not influence the network’s coverage. CNN declined to comment on the ad buys.

Reactions from the networks have been largely critical or puzzled. MS NOW’s Joe Scarborough labeled the use of taxpayer money for these ads as “beyond comprehension.” Host Jen Psaki, who served in Democratic administrations, described the spots as “government propaganda.” On CNN, correspondent Kaitlan Collins noted the ads’ departure from typical PSAs such as emergency warnings, while anchor Jake Tapper characterized the ads as an unprecedented misuse of public funds.

The controversy over these ads comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and certain media outlets, highlighting the complex intersections of politics, government communications, and press access.