File photo courtesy of Newsweek | USDOL via X

 

Massive banners displaying the face of US President Donald Trump on three federal buildings in Washington, DC, have sparked outrage among Democrats. They claim the banners, funded by taxpayer money, promote an authoritarian message. The controversy follows a report by Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, alleging misuse of at least $50,000 in federal funds.

 

The spending breakdown includes $16,400 by the Department of Agriculture, $33,726 by Health and Human Services, and $6,000 by the Department of Labor. Schiff’s report accuses the Trump administration of using public funds for propaganda. However, Republican lawmakers argue that similar practices occurred during previous Democratic administrations without raising concerns.

 

Republicans, including Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk, question the perceived double standard, comparing it to promotional efforts under President Biden. In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson labelled Schiff a “serial liar” and rejected comparisons between Trump and fascist leaders. The Department of Labor said the banners, part of America250 celebrations, initially appeared for Labor Day and emphasised their positive public reception.

 

While Democrats insist no president should use taxpayer money for self-promotion, this debate highlights increasing tensions over executive power. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas and nonpartisan ethics groups call for stricter oversight. Similar concerns under the Biden administration were raised by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst last year, advocating for better transparency of government spending.

 

The images of Trump, along with captions like “American Workers First”, have intensified debates over political messaging. Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson pointed out that pictures of presidents and vice presidents are common in federal buildings and questioned their political nature. The issue underscores ongoing partisan divisions in Washington over presidential influence and taxpayer-funded projects.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Democrats argue Trump banners suggest authoritarianism, sparking outrage.
• Schiff’s report claims $50,000 was spent on banners, with varied department contributions.
• Republicans highlight past Democratic messaging efforts, fuelling debate.

Related Stories:

 

Read more World News Stories here

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-09-22

 

 

El douche….not the Italian version but the bladder and hose kind.

1 hour ago, Tug said:

El douche….not the Italian version but the bladder and hose kind.

Trump has been working on his Mussolini impersonations for several years now -- it's really some of his best work.

Hope Starmer doesn't do the same.

It's a  game of the woefully insecure girly men Trump is playing with Kim Jong-un....

 

"My dick pic is bigger than yours!"

 

 

 

 

Is that a ‘Made in China-na’ label in the top left hand corner?

I think it's also something for one of Trump's major demographics---Incels---to come pay tribute and fap over.

 

The whole world---save for North Korea and Turkmenistan---is laughing. The nation that gave us Madison, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Hamilton has now sunk to the lowest depths imaginable, fooled by a woefully ignorant, corrupt, mendacious, racist, misogynist, demented, insecure, philandering scumbag.

So I guess America was "great" in 1984...George Orwell's 1984.

 

No doubt AG Bondi has been instructed to prosecute thought crime.

25 minutes ago, Wingate said:

It's a  game of the woefully insecure girly men Trump is playing with Kim Jong-un....

 

"My dick pic is bigger than yours!"

 

 

 

 

 

19 minutes ago, Wingate said:

I think it's also something for one of Trump's major demographics---Incels---to come pay tribute and fap over.

 

The whole world---save for North Korea and Turkmenistan---is laughing. The nation that gave us Madison, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Hamilton has now sunk to the lowest depths imaginable, fooled by a woefully ignorant, corrupt, mendacious, racist, misogynist, demented, insecure, philandering scumbag.

 

18 minutes ago, Wingate said:

So I guess America was "great" in 1984...George Orwell's 1984.

 

No doubt AG Bondi has been instructed to prosecute thought crime.

This level of anger doesnt normally come from a multimillion level harvard grad but then again nothing youve ever said here has been true. I do believe that out of touch millionaires would be leftist but i dont believe youre one of them

"Republican lawmakers argue that similar practices occurred during previous Democratic administrations without raising concerns"

To cool things down, or confirm charges, would the Republicans PLEASE provide us with the "similar practices" Demos are accused of. Seriously. I'd like to see them

1 minute ago, Emdog said:

"Republican lawmakers argue that similar practices occurred during previous Democratic administrations without raising concerns"

To cool things down, or confirm charges, would the Republicans PLEASE provide us with the "similar practices" Demos are accused of. Seriously. I'd like to see them

 

What Biden did:

 

•  The Government Publishing Office (GPO) produced official portraits of President Biden and Vice President Harris.

•  These were standard-sized framed photographs (e.g., 8x10, 11x14) hung inside federal buildings, military installations, and government offices—consistent with long-standing tradition A.

•  These portraits were not promotional banners and were not displayed on building exteriors.

2 hours ago, Cory1848 said:

Trump has been working on his Mussolini impersonations for several years now -- it's really some of his best work.

 

 

Does he do one with a lamppost ?

7 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Does he do one with a lamppost ?

Not yet, but let's see how things play out!

The genius of stupidity.

 

37 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"Republican lawmakers argue that similar practices occurred during previous Democratic administrations without raising concerns"

To cool things down, or confirm charges, would the Republicans PLEASE provide us with the "similar practices" Demos are accused of. Seriously. I'd like to see them

Republicans are LYING. 

It's just taken 6 months to turn Washington DC into Pyongyang.

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

What Biden did:

 

•  The Government Publishing Office (GPO) produced official portraits of President Biden and Vice President Harris.

•  These were standard-sized framed photographs (e.g., 8x10, 11x14) hung inside federal buildings, military installations, and government offices—consistent with long-standing tradition A.

•  These portraits were not promotional banners and were not displayed on building exteriors.

Exactly: this is long-standing practice. I worked at/was a dependent spouse at US embassies abroad for 20 years. Entering the embassy building, right at the security check staffed by marine guards, were three 11x14 (I think) portraits on the wall: the president, vice president, and secretary of state -- the same size and position whether it was Bush I, Clinton, or Bush II. How a current federal employee in Washington can walk into their building under a monstrous, gigantic portrait of the current “president” in good conscience is beyond me, and I’m sure most cringe every time.

24 minutes ago, Cory1848 said:

Exactly: this is long-standing practice. I worked at/was a dependent spouse at US embassies abroad for 20 years. Entering the embassy building, right at the security check staffed by marine guards, were three 11x14 (I think) portraits on the wall: the president, vice president, and secretary of state -- the same size and position whether it was Bush I, Clinton, or Bush II. How a current federal employee in Washington can walk into their building under a monstrous, gigantic portrait of the current “president” in good conscience is beyond me, and I’m sure most cringe every time.

 

Oklahoma has just demanded every public university has to have a Charlie Kirk Plaza with his statue......???????

Another step down the totalitarian road.   Poor America.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Republicans are LYING. 

They would never do that!!!!!!

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

Oklahoma has just demanded every public university has to have a Charlie Kirk Plaza with his statue......???????

Welcome to Magastan.

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

 

Oklahoma has just demanded every public university has to have a Charlie Kirk Plaza with his statue......???????

That is totally nuts. Apparently, it’s still just a bill and has to pass the state legislature, but in Oklahoma that seems likely to happen. (A 12-foot golden statue of Trump holding a Bitcoin also appeared on the Mall in Washington, but this was installed by crypto investors and was apparently a temporary installation; they probably wanted to take it back down before it got vandalized!)

Hmm... it reminds me of something...what was it? 🙂

 

The Putinisation of America. Land of the bullied and home of the bigot.

2 hours ago, BusyB said:

 

The Putinisation of America. Land of the bullied and home of the bigot.

Da.

 

5 hours ago, newnative said:

Another step down the totalitarian road.   Poor America.

 

My sympathies are somewhat limited. They voted for this - or couldn't be bothered to vote against it. That's exactly how Putin got into position to start intimidating 'enemies'. And when you read some of the hate fuelled and bigoted Maga invective on these threads I can only say they have the government they deserve. It sounds like Medvedev's rantings.

7 hours ago, Cory1848 said:

Exactly: this is long-standing practice. I worked at/was a dependent spouse at US embassies abroad for 20 years. Entering the embassy building, right at the security check staffed by marine guards, were three 11x14 (I think) portraits on the wall: the president, vice president, and secretary of state -- the same size and position whether it was Bush I, Clinton, or Bush II. How a current federal employee in Washington can walk into their building under a monstrous, gigantic portrait of the current “president” in good conscience is beyond me, and I’m sure most cringe every time.

 

Well I would certainly hope so. But I suspect the ones still left after the Doge purge probably find it cute.

9 hours ago, angryguy said:

 

 

This level of anger doesnt normally come from a multimillion level harvard grad but then again nothing youve ever said here has been true. I do believe that out of touch millionaires would be leftist but i dont believe youre one of them

Coming from our very own (angeryguy) lol just can’t make this up lol 😂 here’s a seed for some of us that planted that oak tree of anger and disgust .as your deity was a riding around in daddy’s limo to the disco a nursing those pesky bone spurs….the grandson of the first commander of the air unit stationed on Guadalcanal…..who’s dad was a WW2 submarine captain…..the man who was a carrier qualified pilot was languishing in the Hanoi Hilton was getting the cr@p beat out of him every day ….your deity instead of paying his respects insulted the man…..that rite there is the seed for many……of course it continues to grow in lucid folks.Ukraine for one the sucking up to putin and Kim the betrayal of our allies……the clown car cabinet the distruction of the instutions that have helped us prosper……no to me the question is how could anyone possibly support trump….you guys need a better leader.please explain how you can square those facts and claim to be a patriot?

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Republicans are LYING. 

Oh No!  Not again, so soon??

10 hours ago, angryguy said:

 

 

This level of anger doesnt normally come from a multimillion level harvard grad but then again nothing youve ever said here has been true. I do believe that out of touch millionaires would be leftist but i dont believe youre one of them

Well, little guy, you'd be wrong.

 

Jealous?

 

if you'd studied harder and inherited a decent gene pool, you could have gone to Harvard and Stanford and become a multimillionaire, too.

 

The only advice I can give to someone whose life is so mediocre is convert to a belief system that embraces reincarnation. That's maybe the best way you can play Pascal's Wager.

 

Better luck next life.