Pro-MAGA Senator Calls Out Trump for Spending Public Money on TV Ad: ‘I May End Up With A Sombrero On My Head, But…’

 

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said he doesn’t care if President Donald Trump mocks him on social media for it — he doesn’t believe the president, or any other public official, should be using taxpayer money to pay for TV advertisements. 

The pro-MAGA lawmaker went against the president during a Sunday morning interview on Face the Nation.

“I don’t think any public official, including President Trump, or Kristi Noem, or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private ads for themselves,” Kennedy told Host Margaret Brennan. 

He continued, “Now, the White House sees it differently. But I think there oughta be a rule — well, there probably is a rule — you can’t spend public money to promote yourself.”

His answer comes a few days after Trump administration started running ads celebrating what it considers some of its biggest accomplishments, like “reigniting American manufacturing” and the “largest tax cuts in history.” It also features Trump declaring “America will never be a communist country,” all while a chorus sings “love me” in the background. The ad also includes a cameo from UFC boss Dana White, before ending by declaring it was paid for by the U.S. Government.

The Associated Press reported $443,000 has been spent so far on the ads. Trump White House has argued they are “public service announcements,” rather than ads, which makes them kosher.

Kennedy quipped Trump could end up making fun of him on social media, the same way he has slapped digital sombreros on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in the past. But he went ahead and mildly criticized Trump for one more thing.

“I may end up with a sombrero on my head, but I also think that we oughta have a rule that no politicians can have a building named after him while he’s alive,” Kennedy added, obviously referring to Trump trying to add his name to the Kennedy Center.

Watch above via CBS News.

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