The Trump administration has expanded its use of US government-funded television advertisements featuring President Donald Trump, airing a second ad within three days while increasing spending on the first to at least $443,000.

The White House has described the advertisements as “public service announcements” similar to campaigns run by previous administrations. However, lawmakers from both parties have questioned their legality and appropriateness, citing their political tone, taxpayer funding and timing ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The new 60-second advertisement features nighttime footage of Mount Rushmore along with clips and quotes from Trump’s Fourth of July weekend speech marking the country’s 250th anniversary. “We know that this is not an ending,” Trump says in the ad. “This is only the beginning of the golden age of America.”

The advertisement ends with an on-screen disclosure stating, “Paid for by the U.S. Government.”

The cost of the new advertisement was not immediately available. AdImpact, which tracks media spending, reported that it was airing Friday on Newsmax, including during “Carl Higbie Frontline” and “Greg Kelly Reports.”

The first advertisement, a 30-second spot that began airing Wednesday, features Trump discussing the defeat of communism. It also uses on-screen messages promoting the “largest tax cuts in history,” “reigniting American manufacturing” and efforts to “defend law and order and police.” Its soundtrack repeatedly features a chorus singing “love me.” The ad also ends by stating that it was paid for by the US government.

The White House defended the advertisements on Friday, saying they are “very clearly not campaign ads.” Officials pointed out that Trump is not on the ballot and that the spots contain no call to action. The administration cited earlier public service campaigns by both Republican and Democratic administrations, including a Medicare campaign under George W. Bush and COVID-19 vaccination advertisements under Joe Biden.

“Patriotism isn’t partisan. These public service announcements are unapologetically American, clearly disclosed, and aimed at the country — not a line on the ballot,” the White House said.

The administration did not respond to questions about which government agency provided the funding for the advertisements.

Lawmakers from both parties criticised the advertisements. Some argued that federal law bars the use of taxpayer money for “publicity or propaganda” and places limits on partisan political activity by government employees. Republicans defending their congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections have also released advertisements focused on communism, the economy and crime.

Several House Democrats holding senior committee positions on Thursday called for the first advertisement to be removed. They described it as “the sort of government propaganda one might expect in North Korea.”

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, also criticised the advertisement. He called it “inappropriate” and compared it to something he would expect from former right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.