Government spent millions on Trump ads. And, federal agents raid Ilhan Omar's home
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The U.S. government continues to pay for ads promoting President Trump, even after he announced that his MAGA Inc. super PAC would take over funding. A federal judge ordered the ads to be taken down, yet they remained on air. An NPR analysis of data from AdImpact finds that nearly $22 million in taxpayer funds have been spent since the campaign began in late September. Almost $10 million of that was spent after Trump pledged on an Oct. 5 Truth Social post to fund the campaign privately. The White House has called the ads public service announcements, but a lawsuit by Common Cause and others argued they were funded without congressional approval, violating restrictions on taxpayer-funded publicity and propaganda.
President Trump leaves the stage after speaking during an election rally in Syracuse, New York on Oct. 9, 2026. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Trump has ramped up his campaign travel ahead of the midterm elections. He rallied supporters in Youngstown, Ohio, last night and is heading to Alaska today. More events are planned for later this week. He has been trying to encourage his supporters to vote by telling them to pretend he is on the ballot.
Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in Washington, D.C., yesterday morning. Omar, D-Minn., says the search was politically motivated by the Trump administration. The Department of Justice told NPR in a statement that Homeland Security Investigations agents "executed a judicially authorized search warrant," approved by the DOJ, as part of an ongoing federal investigation. Current and former federal officials with knowledge of the search who were not authorized to speak publicly confirmed the details, revealing that this multi-year probe includes whistleblower complaints and focuses on allegations of immigration fraud.
The safest way to protect yourself from measles when traveling is to be vaccinated. Malte Mueller/Getty Images hide caption
Malte Mueller/Getty Images
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles resurgence in decades. More than 3,600 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported as of late September. Outbreaks in several states and exposures in public places like bars, sports stadiums and public transit have raised concerns about travel safety. Almost all U.S. measles cases involve unvaccinated individuals, and as the outbreaks grow in some states, the risk of exposure is getting higher. Here's what to know before traveling by plane or train.
When Lee Krasner was asked in a 1978 interview what she was doing while her husband Jackson Pollock was becoming so famous, she said, "I was working all the time." Krasner is shown above, at work, in 1981. Ernst Haas/Getty Images hide caption
Ernst Haas/Getty Images
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's new blockbuster exhibition showcases the works of two 20th-century artists. Jackson Pollock is well-known for his drip paintings. His wife, Lee Krasner, has often been overshadowed by her husband. This show finally gives Krasner the recognition she deserves. With more than 120 pieces on display — 74 from Krasner and 48 from Pollock — the show highlights Krasner as a titan of Abstract Expressionism, too. Check out some of the photos from the exhibit.
U.S. economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford are announced as the winners of the 2026 Nobel prize in economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm on Monday. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
The government is using millions of taxpayers' dollars on pro-Trump ads, even after the president said this would not happen. And, federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar's D.C. home
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
The U.S. government continues to pay for ads promoting President Trump, even after he announced that his MAGA Inc. super PAC would take over funding. A federal judge ordered the ads to be taken down, yet they remained on air. An NPR analysis of data from AdImpact finds that nearly $22 million in taxpayer funds have been spent since the campaign began in late September. Almost $10 million of that was spent after Trump pledged on an Oct. 5 Truth Social post to fund the campaign privately. The White House has called the ads public service announcements, but a lawsuit by Common Cause and others argued they were funded without congressional approval, violating restrictions on taxpayer-funded publicity and propaganda.
President Trump leaves the stage after speaking during an election rally in Syracuse, New York on Oct. 9, 2026. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Trump has ramped up his campaign travel ahead of the midterm elections. He rallied supporters in Youngstown, Ohio, last night and is heading to Alaska today. More events are planned for later this week. He has been trying to encourage his supporters to vote by telling them to pretend he is on the ballot.
Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in Washington, D.C., yesterday morning. Omar, D-Minn., says the search was politically motivated by the Trump administration. The Department of Justice told NPR in a statement that Homeland Security Investigations agents "executed a judicially authorized search warrant," approved by the DOJ, as part of an ongoing federal investigation. Current and former federal officials with knowledge of the search who were not authorized to speak publicly confirmed the details, revealing that this multi-year probe includes whistleblower complaints and focuses on allegations of immigration fraud.
The safest way to protect yourself from measles when traveling is to be vaccinated. Malte Mueller/Getty Images hide caption
Malte Mueller/Getty Images
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles resurgence in decades. More than 3,600 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported as of late September. Outbreaks in several states and exposures in public places like bars, sports stadiums and public transit have raised concerns about travel safety. Almost all U.S. measles cases involve unvaccinated individuals, and as the outbreaks grow in some states, the risk of exposure is getting higher. Here's what to know before traveling by plane or train.
When Lee Krasner was asked in a 1978 interview what she was doing while her husband Jackson Pollock was becoming so famous, she said, "I was working all the time." Krasner is shown above, at work, in 1981. Ernst Haas/Getty Images hide caption
Ernst Haas/Getty Images
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's new blockbuster exhibition showcases the works of two 20th-century artists. Jackson Pollock is well-known for his drip paintings. His wife, Lee Krasner, has often been overshadowed by her husband. This show finally gives Krasner the recognition she deserves. With more than 120 pieces on display — 74 from Krasner and 48 from Pollock — the show highlights Krasner as a titan of Abstract Expressionism, too. Check out some of the photos from the exhibit.
U.S. economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford are announced as the winners of the 2026 Nobel prize in economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm on Monday. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
The U.S. government continues to pay for ads promoting President Trump, even after he announced that his MAGA Inc. super PAC would take over funding. A federal judge ordered the ads to be taken down, yet they remained on air. An NPR analysis of data from AdImpact finds that nearly $22 million in taxpayer funds have been spent since the campaign began in late September. Almost $10 million of that was spent after Trump pledged on an Oct. 5 Truth Social post to fund the campaign privately. The White House has called the ads public service announcements, but a lawsuit by Common Cause and others argued they were funded without congressional approval, violating restrictions on taxpayer-funded publicity and propaganda.
President Trump leaves the stage after speaking during an election rally in Syracuse, New York on Oct. 9, 2026. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Trump has ramped up his campaign travel ahead of the midterm elections. He rallied supporters in Youngstown, Ohio, last night and is heading to Alaska today. More events are planned for later this week. He has been trying to encourage his supporters to vote by telling them to pretend he is on the ballot.
Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in Washington, D.C., yesterday morning. Omar, D-Minn., says the search was politically motivated by the Trump administration. The Department of Justice told NPR in a statement that Homeland Security Investigations agents "executed a judicially authorized search warrant," approved by the DOJ, as part of an ongoing federal investigation. Current and former federal officials with knowledge of the search who were not authorized to speak publicly confirmed the details, revealing that this multi-year probe includes whistleblower complaints and focuses on allegations of immigration fraud.
The safest way to protect yourself from measles when traveling is to be vaccinated. Malte Mueller/Getty Images hide caption
Malte Mueller/Getty Images
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles resurgence in decades. More than 3,600 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported as of late September. Outbreaks in several states and exposures in public places like bars, sports stadiums and public transit have raised concerns about travel safety. Almost all U.S. measles cases involve unvaccinated individuals, and as the outbreaks grow in some states, the risk of exposure is getting higher. Here's what to know before traveling by plane or train.
When Lee Krasner was asked in a 1978 interview what she was doing while her husband Jackson Pollock was becoming so famous, she said, "I was working all the time." Krasner is shown above, at work, in 1981. Ernst Haas/Getty Images hide caption
Ernst Haas/Getty Images
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's new blockbuster exhibition showcases the works of two 20th-century artists. Jackson Pollock is well-known for his drip paintings. His wife, Lee Krasner, has often been overshadowed by her husband. This show finally gives Krasner the recognition she deserves. With more than 120 pieces on display — 74 from Krasner and 48 from Pollock — the show highlights Krasner as a titan of Abstract Expressionism, too. Check out some of the photos from the exhibit.
U.S. economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford are announced as the winners of the 2026 Nobel prize in economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm on Monday. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
Read the full story at NPR ↗ · Axios ↗
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
- The government is using millions of taxpayers' dollars on pro-Trump ads, even after the president said this would not happen.
- And, federal agents search Rep.
- Ilhan Omar's D.C.