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The federal government has spent roughly $22 million in taxpayer funds airing ads promoting Trump administration messaging, with about $10 million spent even after Trump said a supportive super PAC would cover the costs. The White House describes the spots as public service announcements, but critics say they amount to taxpayer-funded political advertising. The spending has drawn scrutiny from watchdog groups and lawmakers questioning the use of public funds for content that benefits the president politically ahead of the midterms.