Brian Stelter: Judge Orders Halt to ‘Propagandistic’ Taxpayer-Funded Ads

TRANSCRIPT:

STELTER: “And the judge is making very clear that common cause will likely prevail if there’s ever a trial, and thus she’s granted a restraining order that’ll be in effect for two weeks. What’s interesting about this is the timing, Jessica. The government said in a court filing overnight that this lawsuit’s irrelevant and moot because the ads are gonna stop airing tonight, Sunday night, a big television night, prime time in the U.S.. So, the Justice Department basically said, ‘Don’t worry about this. We’re done with the ads. Nothing to see here.’ Well, the judge has reviewed the evidence and she disagrees. She says this is not a moot point and that as of 6:45 P.M. Eastern Time, the government has to cancel any further ads. So, interestingly, if any viewers see these on TV tonight, let me know. I’m curious to see if the administration’s able to put this into place within this tight, narrow window of timing. And this comes as there has been bipartisan backlash to these propagandistic ads very clearly meant to prop up President Trump and the GOP in the final weeks of the midterms.”