Donald Trump is at the center of a taxpayer funded advertising dispute after new pro Trump spots began airing last week, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the campaign on Wednesday. The ads reportedly cost about $2.5 million and ran during Fox News programming, NFL games, and college football. Carr said the commercials look like ordinary government public service announcements, not political messaging that would require FCC action. Carr also argued that broadcasters should not face liability for airing the spots. Why Are Watchdogs Calling It Propaganda? Public Citizen filed a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration broke federal law by using taxpayer money for propaganda. Lisa Gilbert, the watchdog group’s co president, said the administration worsened the situation by releasing another ad during Sunday football and called for the commercials to be pulled and investigated. The White House pointed to Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act advertising as a precedent for federally funded public messaging. Carr dismissed Public Citizen’s challenge as part of a broader effort by progressive advocacy groups to pressure the FCC through broadcaster license renewals, while the ads continue promoting messages that America will never become communist and praising Trump through a testimonial from UFC executive Dana White.