US government-funded commercials supporting Donald Trump continued airing on television the day after a court ordered them to stop, raising questions about the enforcement of legal restrictions on government propaganda.
The most controversial commercial featured Trump attacking his perceived enemies, promising to ‘liberate America from these villains once and for all.’ Other ads praised Trump's presidential record, called the US the ‘most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history,’ and addressed the Iran war and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
A US District Judge, Jennifer Rochon, issued a temporary restraining order on 11 October 2026, blocking the ads, explaining that the government must cancel them, including those for the evening of 11 October. Despite this, the ads persisted, airing late on 11 October and part of 12 October. The Trump administration had stated on 10 October that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advertising purchases were set to expire on 11 October and would not be renewed.
The US Attorney, Jamie McDonald, filed a status report, apologising for the delay in compliance due to an internal communication mix-up. He noted that the Court's email was sent at 6:46 pm, agency counsel became aware of it at 7:58 pm, and the government began complying with the order that morning. The ads were part of a $20 million purchase order made by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with LMD Agency, an ad firm, on 20 September.







