Vance argues pro-Trump campaign ads ‘are not partisan’

Vice President Vance said the new pro-President Trump television advertisements are “not partisan” amid criticism from both sides of the aisle.

The ads, which cost $20 million of taxpayer money , feature Trump’s voice calling for the defeat of socialism and communism while touting the “largest tax cuts in history” and “reigniting American manufacturing.”

The Trump administration has claimed the ads are public service announcements, not campaign ads.

Vance said there is a history of the federal government using tax dollars to advertise the government’s recent actions, pointing specifically to the Obama administration’s ads on the Affordable Care Act. Trump halted that advertising effort at the start of his first term.

“Living in a constitutional republic, you have to be honest with the American people about what you’re doing, about what’s going on and part of that is getting out there and telling the message,” Vance said, adding that the ads are not partisan but rather are about “how great” the country is.

Defeating communism in America has become a key message for Republicans as they try to retain control of Congress in the November midterms.

Trump has also said the ads are fair game, claiming they do not outwardly support him or a particular candidate. He said the ads are for the “spirit of the country” and that while he would gladly personally pay for them, he believes there is no issue.

The ads prominently feature the president’s image and voice and have been aired during NFL games and on Fox News, CNN and MS NOW.

Opponents of the president have labeled the ads as illegal.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said the ads violate the Hatch Act, a law that limits political activities among government employees and restricts government resources from being used for political purposes. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) said the ads are “inappropriate” and compared them to something former right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would do.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr said the ads are “ normal public service announcements ” that do not merit any FCC review.