The White House and Trump had vigorously defended the ads as simply patriotic public service announcements similar to ones done by previous presidents. But they still elicited criticism from both parties.

President Trump said Monday he will start paying for the pro-Trump ads that have blanketed the airwaves in recent weeks, using money raised by his super PAC, after he drew intense pushback for using public funds.

Donald Trump will fund TV ads himself after criticism over taxpayer-funded political ads aired before the November congressional elections. Read more at straitstimes.com.

President Donald Trump says he will stop using taxpayer funds for ads promoting himself.

Trump said he will fund what he calls “patriotic ads” himself following controvery over his administration buying TV ad time with taxpayer dollars.