Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has taken legal action against a progressive super PAC, PA Values, for airing a digital ad deemed misleading. The 30-second advertisement, funded by PA Values, featured archival footage of Trump advising against mail-in voting, accompanied by the caption “MAGA PATRIOTS LISTEN TO OUR PRESIDENT!”
However, Trump’s stance on mail-in voting has evolved since his earlier remarks. In a recent campaign ad, he emphasized the importance of utilizing all voting methods, including mail-in ballots, to ensure Republican victory. “If you want to save America, register, get an absentee or mail-in ballot, vote early,” Trump asserted.
The cease-and-desist letter, dated June 25, demands that PA Values preserve all records “in anticipation of likely litigation.” Trump’s legal team argues that the ad potentially violates federal law, which prohibits conspiracies to obstruct voting rights, citing previous DOJ prosecutions as precedent.
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PA Values, led by treasurer Maria L. Galdo, has a history of political advertising, including past campaigns against Republican figures. The ad in question garnered significant online exposure, being viewed between 800,000 to 900,000 times before its removal by Google for policy violations.
In response to inquiries, GPS Impact, the Iowa-based firm hired by PA Values for the ad’s production, did not provide comment by the time of publication. GPS Impact specializes in digital campaigning for Democratic causes, including voter mobilization efforts like encouraging mail-in voting.
This legal clash underscores ongoing tensions surrounding electoral messaging and the interpretation of political speech rights. As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, such disputes over advertising content and voter outreach strategies are likely to continue shaping the political landscape.
