Former President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he intends to use his political action committee, MAGA Inc., to cover the costs of television advertisements that were previously funded by federal taxpayer money. The advertisements, which have been criticized for promoting the former president, reportedly cost at least $1.5 million in federal funds.

In a statement posted to social media, Trump defended the content of the advertisements, describing them as a "positive promotion for our Great U.S.A." He further characterized the use of federal funds for such purposes as a "rather standard thing to do," dismissing the controversy surrounding the expenditure.

MAGA Inc., which serves as a primary fundraising vehicle for Trump’s political activities, reportedly held over $400 million in assets as of the end of July. Trump indicated that he has begun utilizing these resources to support Republican candidates in various races leading up to the midterm elections. While the former president has committed to reimbursing the government for the $1.5 million spent, the logistics of the repayment process and the specific legal mechanisms for transferring PAC funds to federal accounts remain points of interest for observers. The announcement follows significant public and political outcry regarding the appropriateness of using government resources for what critics described as self-promotional political messaging.