The White House maintains the ads are "public service announcements" but multiple lawmakers of both parties on Thursday criticized the first one, questioning its legality and appropriateness given its political nature, proximity to November's midterms and the use of taxpayer funds.

The new, minute-long ad features scenic videos of Mount Rushmore at night with quotes and clips from Trump's Fourth of July weekend speech there honoring the country's 250th anniversary.

"We know that this is not an ending," Trump says in the ad. "This is only the beginning of the golden age of America."

At the end, text appears onscreen that reads, "Paid for by the U.S. Government."

The ad's costs weren't immediately clear but it was airing Friday on Newsmax, with a spot on at least two programs, "Carl Higbie Frontline" and "Greg Kelly Reports," according to AdImpact, which tracks media spending.

The first ad, a 30-second spot that began airing Wednesday, features clips of Trump talking about defeating communism interspersed with onscreen text promoting the "largest tax cuts in history," "reigniting American manufacturing" and a call to "defend law and order and police." The ad's soundtrack includes a chorus singing "love me" repeatedly and ends with a message disclosing it was paid for by the U.S. government.

The White House defended the ad and said it is "educational and unapologetically patriotic." It didn't answer an inquiry about what part of the government supplied the funds.

"These public service announcements are about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad," the White House statement said.

Politicians of both parties on Thursday criticized the ads, with some noting that laws prohibit taxpayer funds from being used for "publicity or propaganda" and limit the partisan political activities of government employees. Republicans running to defend their majorities in Congress in the upcoming midterm elections have created ads with similar messaging about communism, the economy and crime.

Several House Democrats with senior committee roles on Thursday demanded that the first ad be taken off the air, calling it "the sort of government propaganda one might expect in North Korea."

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican who is not running for reelection, called the ad "inappropriate" and likened it to something he would expect from the former right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.