Trump plans to use raised funds for taxpayer-funded promotional ads

Donald Trump said Monday he would pay for television ads promoting himself with money raised for a political action committee. He announced the plan after the taxpayer-funded ads drew a major backlash.

The White House said Monday night that Maga Inc would pay for such ads in the future. It did not answer questions about how the White House or Trump would prove that political funds were being used to pay for the ads.

Trump did not specifically explain how taxpayers would be reimbursed for ads that had already aired. He also provided no details on how he would arrange for his political organization to pay for the advertising.

Last week, two congressional Democrats asked federal watchdogs to investigate whether the administration illegally used taxpayer money for television ads. The ads covered by the investigation request began airing in late September.

Legal experts said the ads could violate federal law. They cited a law prohibiting the use of congressionally appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda and a law restricting government employees' partisan political activities.

All the ads ended with a message stating that they were paid for by the US government.