Trump aide Natalie Harp directs $20 million Homeland Security ad campaign to glorify president
Donald Trump used $20 million of Homeland Security money for a series of partisan ads that praise him, with aide Natalie Harp selecting the footage.
A recent report details how Donald Trump directed $20 million of taxpayer-funded Homeland Security resources toward a slate of 13 partisan advertisements that glorify his presidency. During an early-August Oval Office strategy session, Trump asked aide Natalie Harp to pull up footage of himself before large crowds and under fighter jets, which the White House digital team compiled into ads praising his military actions in Iran and Venezuela, defending his tariffs and repeatedly stating “God made Trump.”
The Office of Management and Budget chief Russell Vought was instructed to secure the money, and the spots were aired as “public service announcements” on networks including several outlets. A nonprofit, Securing American Greatness, paid $60,000 for a version featuring UFC president Dana White’s endorsement. Democrats and Republicans have condemned the use of public funds, with Rep. Jamie Raskin suggesting it may constitute felony theft. The White House released a statement saying the ads aim to remind Americans to love their country.
Why it matters
It shows how public funds are being used for overt political self-promotion, raising legal and ethical concerns.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Judge orders Trump administration to restore White House press passes to three outlets
- Sep 24 A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order restoring the three outlets' White House press passes.
- Sep 25 President Trump announced a pocket rescission that eliminates almost $1 billion in congressionally authorized funds for immigrant services, diversity programs and other initiatives.
- Sep 26 A federal auditing body has labeled the rescission unlawful.
- Sep 27 Lindell TV was listed as a participant in the Air Force One press pool for the Tennessee trip.
- Sep 28 The administration broadcast a 30-second television spot from Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, labeling it a public service announcement despite objections from lawmakers of both parties.
- Sep 29 The administration has framed the spots as public‑service announcements rather than campaign ads.
- Sep 30 Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees sent letters to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles demanding removal of the ads.
- Oct 2 President Donald Trump said his administration will issue $90 checks to more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries to help cover Part B premiums.
- Oct 3 Later reports omitted the previously reported payment amount and beneficiary count.
In this story
Related stories
12 in this thread