The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful use of federal funds for partisan advertising, marking the latest escalation as the DNC sues Trump over an ad blitz tied to the 2026 midterm elections.
The complaint contends the administration steered $20 million in taxpayer money to produce and air political spots aimed at boosting Republican fortunes in 2026 and lifting President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. The DNC argues the effort amounts to prohibited publicity or propaganda under federal law.
According to the filing, President Trump personally directed the ad campaign, violating a statutory ban on using appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda purposes. One filing notes that the Office of Management and Budget moved money authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to finance the effort.
DNC sues Trump over alleged misuse of federal funds
The lawsuit states OMB reallocated the funds into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection account labeled for Commemorative Events. Committee reports in Congress limited that category to line-of-duty death memorials, agency anniversaries, and commendation ceremonies, the complaint says.
The DNC points to worsening polling for Republicans both in battlegrounds and in reliably conservative states, arguing the party is positioned to take control of Congress, governor’s offices, and state legislatures if trends continue. Recent trends mirror other analyses that midterm elections polls point to Democratic edge in key races.
Among the ads cited is a spot in which Trump highlights the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Another features Trump vowing to “demolish the Deep State” and to “drive out the globalists,” while a third urges viewers to “pretend I’m on the ballot” to spur turnout. Additional ads include senior administration officials praising Trump, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to the lawsuit.
“Donald Trump is misusing millions of taxpayer dollars to fund pure propaganda ads in a last-ditch attempt to save Republicans in November — so we’re suing him,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. He also criticized the diversion of funds from a CBP commemorations account he said was intended for memorials honoring those killed in the line of duty.
The suit asks a federal court to declare that the administration and involved agencies unlawfully produced and aired the ads using congressional appropriations. It seeks an immediate injunction to halt any further use of taxpayer money on the campaign. A request for White House comment was made.
