Public Citizen Urges FCC and FTC to Halt Trump’s “The Last Battle” Ads

Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), arguing that broadcasters should be ordered to stop airing recent commercials featuring President Donald Trump. The group says the ads may violate US laws restricting the use of taxpayer funds for propaganda and limiting the political activities of federal employees.

“The Last Battle” ad uses footage from Trump’s 2024 campaign

According to the Public Citizen complaint, one of the ads is titled “The Last Battle” and closely copies a commercial released by Trump’s campaign during the 2024 election.

The black-and-white ad shows Trump walking down a hallway with a serious expression as a voice says: “This is the final battle. With you by our side, we will crush the deep state. We will drive the warmongers out of our government.” A notice at the bottom of the screen identifies the commercial as “Paid for by the U.S. government.”

Trump also says in the ad: “We’re going to get rid of the communists, Marxists, and fascists. We’re going to get rid of the sick political class that hates our country, we’re going to rout the fake news media, and we’re going to liberate America from these bad guys once and for all.”

The video and audio are the same as those used in an earlier 2024 version of the ad. The primary difference is that the earlier commercial was paid for by Trump’s campaign committee rather than the US government. The White House has described the newer commercials as public service announcements.

Ads aired during major television programs and sports events

The updated “Final Battle” commercial aired during Saturday Night Live, Fox News Sunday, and several college and NFL football games last weekend, according to the Public Citizen letter.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Department of Homeland Security funds were used to pay for the advertising. The report also said that Trump personally promoted the ad and participated in its creation.

Other commercials feature Trump saying, “America will never be a communist country,” and, “The United States of America is the most successful, most accomplished, and most exceptional nation in human history.”