Trump PAC to Reimburse Taxpayers for Controversial Ads Funded by Casino Billionaire

President Donald Trump’s super PAC, heavily backed by the family of late casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, plans to reimburse the federal government after millions in taxpayer dollars were spent on 13 campaign-style advertisements.

Facing backlash—including from members of his own party—President Donald Trump announced on Monday, Oct. 5, that a controversial series of campaign advertisements will now be funded by his political action committee, MAGA Inc., rather than taxpayers.

Reports revealed that the U.S. government had already spent at least $2.5 million from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to purchase television commercial slots for the spots, which feature a “Paid for by the U.S.” fine print. The New York Times reported that the administration had initially been prepared to spend up to $20 million in DHS funding on the campaign.

While Trump claimed the advertisements simply celebrate the “golden age of America,” critics pushed back heavily against messaging that claimed “God made Trump” and appointed him to “take on the deep state.”

Trump defended the original funding source on Truth Social before backing down:

The pro-Trump messaging push comes just a month before the midterm elections, as Republicans fight to maintain control of Congress for the remainder of the president’s second term.

Backed by Mega-Donors: The Adelson Connection

MAGA Inc.’s ability to absorb such heavy advertising costs relies heavily on a small group of ultra-wealthy donors. Chief among them is Dr. Miriam Adelson, widow of the late casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and the world’s richest casino tycoon.

According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, Dr. Adelson is MAGA Inc.’s largest overall contributor. On May 5, 2026, she wrote a $25 million check to the super PAC, joining Diane Hendricks as well as Greg and Anna Brockman as top donors for the fundraising period spanning Jan. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2026. In total, MAGA Inc. raised nearly $424.4 million during that timeframe.

The Adelson family has long been among Trump’s most prominent financial backers, directing over a quarter of a billion dollars to his presidential campaigns since 2016.

Beyond campaign funding, the family contributed $5 million to Trump’s 2017 inauguration committee, and the Adelson Family Foundation is listed as a major donor for the ongoing White House ballroom renovation project.

Adelson’s massive political spending comes despite recent financial headwinds. Her net worth currently stands at $30.5 billion according to Forbes, but shares of Las Vegas Sands—in which her family owns more than a 50% stake—have plummeted.

When Trump was sworn into his second term in January 2025, Sands stock traded at $44. By Monday, Oct. 5, it closed at $36.61 (a nearly 16% drop), bringing the company’s year-to-date valuation down almost 44%, driven in part by exposure in Asian markets like Macau and Singapore.

MAGA Inc. Donors-to-Super PAC Concentration

Adelson’s huge contribution highlights a broader trend in Trump’s fundraising infrastructure. A report published in February 2026 by the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan public policy institute, revealed that MAGA Inc. relies almost entirely on ultra-wealthy individuals:

• 62% of its total funding stems from mega-donors who gave $5 million or more.
• 96% of the super PAC’s total funding comes from donations of $1 million or more.

As November approaches, the flap highlights both the immense political stakes of the midterm elections and the unprecedented financial muscle backing the president’s agenda.