Donald Trump’s administration has been ordered to halt the production and broadcast of disputed taxpayer-funded adverts for 14 days, Euronews reports. Federal judge Jennifer Rochon issued the temporary order on Sunday 11 October, ahead of November’s congressional elections. It is not a final ruling on whether the spending was lawful.
According to Euronews’ report, published on 12 October, the order prohibits entering into, renewing or expanding contracts for the development, creation, distribution, placement or broadcast of the adverts. The restrictions therefore cover not only airing the adverts, but also contracts for their preparation and distribution.
The adverts described by Euronews featured Trump and his remarks. One carried a notice stating that it was funded by the US government. US media reports cited by Euronews put spending on the campaign at $20 million, drawn from Department of Homeland Security funds. That figure comes from media reporting, rather than the quoted passage of the court order.
Dispute over the line between public information and propaganda
The plaintiffs, represented by the organisation Democracy Forward, argued that the adverts went beyond the purposes for which Congress had authorised spending and breached restrictions on publicity and propaganda. The White House defended the funding, describing the adverts as messages serving the public interest. The court’s temporary decision does not amount to a final finding in favour of the plaintiffs’ allegations.
The campaign also drew objections from both sides of US politics. Euronews reports that Democratic senator John Hickenlooper called the adverts illegal, while some prominent Republicans also voiced concerns. Americans will elect representatives to Congress in November. Trump is not himself a candidate in those elections, but is campaigning for Republicans.
At this stage, the key distinction is between a temporary halt to the adverts and a final judgement on their funding. The order lasts for 14 days; news that it has been issued does not, in itself, confirm that the administration has complied.
