Kristi Noem Reveals $200 Million DHS Ad Campaign Thanking Trump Was His Idea

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland – The Department of Homeland Security has earmarked up to $200 million for a sweeping advertising campaign aimed at broadcasting anti-immigrant messages both in the United States and abroad. In a dramatic revelation at the Conservative Political Action Conference’s Ronald Reagan dinner, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained that the idea to launch these ads – which repeatedly thank President Donald Trump for his immigration crackdown – was, in fact, Trump’s own.

A Presidential Directive

During the administration’s transition period, Noem recalled that Trump personally instructed her to take the lead on this initiative. “I want you to do [ads] for the border, and I want you to do those everywhere, not just in the United States, but I want them around the world. I want you to tell people not to come to this country if they're going to come here illegally,” she recounted. According to Noem, the president’s directive was clear: use this marketing campaign to control the narrative on immigration by bypassing what he described as a biased media.

Crafting the Message

Noem detailed how the campaign is structured to feature strong, uncompromising language. In one of the domestic ads, she states:

“Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for securing our border, for deporting criminal illegal immigrants, and for putting America first.”

She also explained that while the ads would prominently feature her image, Trump himself opted out of appearing. “I want you in the ads, and I want your face in the ads … but I want the first ad, I want you to thank me. I want you to thank me for closing the border,” Trump reportedly instructed, to which Noem agreed, affirming her commitment to the campaign.

An International Propaganda Blitz

The ambitious campaign isn’t confined to American soil. DHS has announced plans to launch ads on radio, broadcast, and digital platforms, tailored in various dialects for audiences across multiple countries and regions—including the Middle East and Central America. Noem emphasized that the campaign’s bold tone was designed not only to deter illegal immigration but also to broadcast a message of strength and sovereignty to the global community.

A Broader Initiative

This $200 million advertising push is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to overhaul federal practices and crack down on government waste, fraud, and abuse – a campaign reportedly linked to initiatives spearheaded in conjunction with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The campaign’s aggressive stance on immigration and its taxpayer-funded nature have already sparked widespread debate, reflecting deep divisions over the nation’s immigration policies.

Conclusion

By championing this high-budget ad campaign, Kristi Noem not only highlighted the Trump administration’s hardline approach to border security but also reinforced the narrative that decisive leadership and stringent immigration enforcement are keys to protecting American interests. As the campaign rolls out both domestically and internationally, its impact on public opinion and the broader immigration debate remains to be seen.