A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting the president ahead of the midterm elections.

A New York federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately stop airing government-funded ads criticized as propaganda and aimed at influencing the midterm election. The temporary restraining order by Judge Jennifer Rochon also bars the Department of Homeland Security from spending any more of the $20 million set aside for the TV ad campaign. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 5 he would pay for the ads going forward. The White House said the president would not reimburse the federal government for the cost of the already aired ads. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/11/trump-ads-dhs-judge-order.html

— ‘A federal judge has ordered Donald Trump’s administration to temporarily halt the broadcast of taxpayer-funded television ads promoting the president ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. Effective as of 6.45pm ET on Sunday, US district judge Jennifer L Rochon of the southern district of New York issued a temporary restraining order aimed at the ads that is meant to stay in effect for at least 14 days. The administration “shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the … advertisements,” Rochon said in her ruling. Rochon also ordered the administration to cancel the remaining portion of a $20m advertising purchase, halting further spending on the campaign.’ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/12/judge-orders-halt-taxpayer-funded-pro-trump-ads