Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 10/31/2026 8:42:41 AM PDT by DFG
MANHATTAN (CN) — A federal judge on Friday demanded that the government immediately suspend three pro-Trump video advertisements that may have violated laws against taxpayer-funded propaganda.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon, ruling from the bench after an emergency hearing, said the contested online ads were “purely partisan” pieces designed to attack Democrats and promote Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, likely violating the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.
One of the videos, titled “$5,000 to Americans,” features President Donald Trump speaking directly to viewers from the Oval Office.
“If the Democrats win, you will have an economic depression,” the president says in the 33-second clip. “If the Republicans win, you will each have $5,000 in your pocket.”
Rochon said Friday that she is “hard pressed” to see how this government-funded message could be considered anything other than a direct, partisan call to support Republicans.
“Voters are being directly asked to support one political party over another in an upcoming election,” the judge noted.
Another ad, titled “Every Democrat Voted Against No Tax on Tips,” was also “a classic partisan advertisement,” Rochon found, because it featured photos of Democratic candidates, several up for reelection, and criticized them for voting against part of Trump’s agenda.
Rochon similarly found that the third ad, “The Cost of Socialism,” crossed the line by directly criticizing candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America.
“There is even a call to action, urging voters to steer clear of candidates aligned with the agenda,” Rochon said.
The judge played the video in court and asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Oestericher to explain why it wasn’t purely partisan. Oestericher argued the clip lawfully communicated the president’s functions and policies, but failed to persuade the court.
Rochon, a Joe Biden appointee in the Southern District of New York, ordered the government to immediately remove the three ads from government websites and social media accounts and cancel plans to post them elsewhere.
She previously barred the government from running partisan ads on television after watchdog group Common Cause sued the Department of Homeland Security for using border security funding to disseminate the clips.
Rochon’s latest ruling came after Common Cause sought to extend the prior order, claiming the government was using Executive Office of the President funding to run the ads online and skirt the court’s earlier ruling.
Common Cause sought to have more than a dozen EOP-funded online ads removed before Tuesday’s election, but Rochon found only three were “substantially likely” to meet the bar for propaganda.
She relied on Congress’ longstanding publicity ban in Section 718 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, which states in part that federal funding cannot be used “for publicity or propaganda purposes.”
Common Cause President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón celebrated the ruling in a statement.
“We fought to turn off these ads because our tax dollars should serve the American people, not the president’s ego or political war chest,” Solomón said Friday. “The court rightfully recognized this scheme for what it was: an unlawful attempt to use public funds for partisan propaganda right in the middle of an election. This decision will ensure our tax dollars are used responsibly, and anyone who tries to abuse public funds for partisan purposes will be held accountable.”
A White House spokesperson said in a statement that Rochon was a “Biden-appointed activist judge” who “issued a lawless order to stop the administration from sharing patriotic videos.”
In the group’s complaint, filed on Oct. 7, Common Cause scrutinized $20 million that DHS had appropriated for border security that was instead spent on ads to “boost Trump’s image, help Republican candidates, and hurt Democratic candidates and causes.”
“Each ends with a disclaimer — ‘Paid for by the U.S. Government’ — that suggests that the federal government has taken sides in the upcoming midterm elections,” Common Cause argues in its suit.
The organization filed suit alongside two labor unions and a Democratic candidate for Alabama’s state House of Representatives.
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Meanwhile, I have to hear pro-CA propaganda ads every 5 minutes on talk radio, but that’s just fine....
“Paid for by the U.S. Government’ — that suggests that the federal government has taken sides in the upcoming midterm elections,”
It would say, “Paid for by the U.S Government in order to defeat the democrats once and for all and protect America.”
So Folks,
Now it is YOUR job to carry the message.
“‘Paid for by the U.S. Government’ — that suggests that the federal government has taken sides.” Umm, yes. Are these ads any different from PSAs?
I’ve been waiting for some judge to order him to stop having rallies for the same reason this judge ruled. I’m okay with my tax dollars going to this than USAID.
Meanwhilst pravda news networks continue unabated 24/7.
I thought this issue was settled a month ago.
I wonder why some judge issued the same ruling as before?
......
Answering my own question - I looked it up. Last month’s order was a temporary injunction. This is the permanent order.
“...likely violating the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.”
Methinks a Constitutional review of the above is in order.
I keep getting text messages from michigan.gov which includes at least one linking to a vid by Ice T. Gosh, I wonder why the Demagogic Party can’t be trusted?
three pro-Trump video advertisements that **may** have violated laws against taxpayer-funded propaganda.
Waiting for the highest bidder bag man to show up.
Campaign advertisements run by Barack Obama and Joe Biden were “self-congratulatory” relying heavily on “accomplishment” ads showcasing their legislative records.
While supporters view these spots as factual highlights of administrative success, critics frequently characterize them as self-congratulatory or tone-deaf.
Political analysts and media archives highlight how their major campaign themes balanced self-praise with attacks on opponents:
The 2012 Obama-Biden Re-election Campaign
During their 2012 campaign against Mitt Romney, Obama and Biden frequently ran ads emphasizing their first-term achievements, which critics labeled as boastful and supporters labeled as proof of progress:
• The Auto Bailout: Ads like “Made in America” highlighted the administration’s rescue of the auto industry, using the tagline, “Don’t bet against the American worker”.
• Economic Progress: Spots like “Determination” openly listed their achievements—citing over 5 million new jobs, rising home values, and returning troops—while admitting “we’re not there yet” to avoid appearing overly dismissive of ongoing economic struggles.
• The Negative Pivot: Despite highlighting their own record, data from the Wesleyan Media Project showed that over 75% of Obama’s 2012 ads were actually negative attack ads targeting Romney’s corporate background, rather than solely focusing on self-praise.
Biden’s Solo Campaigns (2020 & 2024)
As a solo candidate, Biden continued to utilize his legislative record as a core advertising pillar:
• 2020 Contrast Ads: Biden’s 2020 campaign ads, such as “Rising,” focused primarily on character, unity, and criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than traditional boasting.
• 2024 Record-Flexing: Before exiting the 2024 race, the Biden-Harris campaign ran prominent ads like “For You”. In this spot, Biden directly listed his legislative victories, stating: “I led the country through the COVID crisis... I passed a law that lowers prescription drug prices... Donald Trump tried to pass an infrastructure law and he failed. I got it done.”
While the Wall Street Journal editorial page criticized Biden’s strategy as a “jumble of self-congratulatory policy pronouncements,” campaign teams generally view these ads as necessary “record-flexing” to prove competence to the electorate.
Campaign advertisements run by Barack Obama and Joe Biden were “self-congratulatory” relying heavily on “accomplishment” ads showcasing their legislative records.
While supporters view these spots as factual highlights of administrative success, critics frequently characterize them as self-congratulatory or tone-deaf.
Political analysts and media archives highlight how their major campaign themes balanced self-praise with attacks on opponents:
The 2012 Obama-Biden Re-election Campaign
During their 2012 campaign against Mitt Romney, Obama and Biden frequently ran ads emphasizing their first-term achievements, which critics labeled as boastful and supporters labeled as proof of progress:
• The Auto Bailout: Ads like “Made in America” highlighted the administration’s rescue of the auto industry, using the tagline, “Don’t bet against the American worker”.
• Economic Progress: Spots like “Determination” openly listed their achievements—citing over 5 million new jobs, rising home values, and returning troops—while admitting “we’re not there yet” to avoid appearing overly dismissive of ongoing economic struggles.
• The Negative Pivot: Despite highlighting their own record, data from the Wesleyan Media Project showed that over 75% of Obama’s 2012 ads were actually negative attack ads targeting Romney’s corporate background, rather than solely focusing on self-praise.
Biden’s Solo Campaigns (2020 & 2024)
As a solo candidate, Biden continued to utilize his legislative record as a core advertising pillar:
• 2020 Contrast Ads: Biden’s 2020 campaign ads, such as “Rising,” focused primarily on character, unity, and criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than traditional boasting.
• 2024 Record-Flexing: Before exiting the 2024 race, the Biden-Harris campaign ran prominent ads like “For You”. In this spot, Biden directly listed his legislative victories, stating: “I led the country through the COVID crisis... I passed a law that lowers prescription drug prices... Donald Trump tried to pass an infrastructure law and he failed. I got it done.”
While the Wall Street Journal editorial page criticized Biden’s strategy as a “jumble of self-congratulatory policy pronouncements,” campaign teams generally view these ads as necessary “record-flexing” to prove competence to the electorate.
Ahem, holds mirror up for the Dem party and MSMers...
Does this $5,000.00 check, err dividend, make me look cheap?!
Another SSS candidate...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.