Trump Reverses Course on Taxpayer-Funded Ads and Signs Diesel Executive Order

President Trump announced he will no longer use federal taxpayer dollars to fund a series of promotional television ads that had drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and raised questions about legality. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had decided to pay for the spots, which he called "Patriotic Ads," using his own personal funds and money raised for MAGA, Inc., his pro-Trump super PAC. The reversal follows bipartisan concern that the campaign-style advertising constituted an improper use of government funds and may have violated federal law.

Separately, Trump signed an executive order on Monday temporarily waiving the off-road requirement for red-dyed diesel fuel, allowing any buyer to purchase the tax-exempt variety for any purpose, including highway use, through the end of 2026. The order also defers the federal 24-cent-per-gallon excise tax with no interest or penalties. Trump called the move an "unprecedented step" to reduce costs and said it would lower prices for goods including groceries. Diesel prices have risen to between $6.30 and $6.50 per gallon amid global supply disruptions, straining trucking, farming, and supply chains. Energy experts cautioned that limited red-dyed diesel supply could constrain the benefit and potentially push up costs for farmers who already rely on it for off-road use.

Trump attributed the elevated fuel prices partly to refinery disruptions, including damage to Russian refineries from Ukrainian strikes contributing to diesel supply pressure, rather than to the Strait of Hormuz. He also said the war with Iran was "essentially almost over" and predicted prices would "come down very sharply" once the conflict concludes. Trump additionally said China would double its purchases from the United States and approved the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 attack, by U.S. Army firing squad.