Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have asserted that former President Donald Trump was indeed aware of the controversial $220 million advertising campaign orchestrated by Kristi Noem, despite Trump’s claims to the contrary.

Kristi Noem, who previously held the position of US Secretary of Homeland Security, was dismissed by Trump through a statement on Truth Social on March 5. This came after Noem testified under oath, stating that she had received the president’s approval to proceed with the ads.

The campaign’s advertisements were designed to deter illegal immigrants by encouraging self-deportation, with messages highlighting potential consequences for those who did not comply. One particularly striking ad featured Noem on horseback in front of Mount Rushmore, proclaiming, “We will find you and we will deport you.”

In response to Noem’s assertion during a conversation with Sen. John Kennedy that Trump had authorized the campaign, Trump denied ever giving such approval.

Following Noem’s removal, Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin was appointed as her replacement. Meanwhile, DHS officials are now claiming that Trump was indeed informed about the ad campaign and are urging the White House to conduct a comprehensive audit of Noem’s advertising contract.

A source with close ties to the administration disclosed to the Daily Beast that the president “knew about the campaign and wanted it to happen.”

Another told the outlet: ‘The big question we are all asking is where did that money go? We could be happy to have a full audit on this tomorrow, going into every single penny of the award, including where it went. 

‘Everyone at DHS is happy to turn over our taxes and bank records – but only the White House can agree to that – will they want to?’ 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials claim President Trump did know about Kristi Noem’s $220 million advertisements, even though he said he was not aware

The adverts aimed to warn illegal migrants to self-deport from America or face consequences if they don’t, with one showing her sitting on a horse in front of Mount Rushmore (pictured)

When asked about the claims, the White House did not address where the money had gone or if it would agree to hold an audit. 

‘Contracts are awarded by individual agencies. The White House has no involvement in an agency’s contract decisions,’ the spokesperson added. 

When contacted by the Daily Mail, a White House spokesperson referred to a quote Trump told Reuters, stating: ‘I never knew anything about it.’  

After news of how much was spent on the ads, the Noem and the administration faced immediate scrutiny. 

Democrat Rep. Joe Neguse, who questioned Noem about the campaign during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on March 3, is one of many who is questioning the deal. 

‘Corruption and self-dealing has become pervasive and endemic within the Trump administration—and the American people deserve answers,’ Neguse told the Beast.

The outlet also learned that the company that was paid to create the commercials under a $143 million contract is owned by Ben Yoho, the husband of Noem’s former spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin. 

The contract was then turned over to Safe America Media, which is run by veteran Republican operative Mike McElwain, per the report. 

McElwain’s business partner, Pat McCarthy, was brought on board during Trump’s 2024 election campaign and helped produce the president’s ‘They/Them’ ad that targeted former Vice President Kamala Harris during the election. 

A source close to the Trump administration said that the president ‘knew about the campaign and wanted it to happen.’ (Pictured: Trump and Noem during a roundtable in October 2025)

Trump replaced Noem with Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin

A DHS source found this information puzzling, telling the outlet: ‘One question that should be asked is why was McCarthy brought so closely into the campaign team at that point in the campaign, when it had many ad buyers it worked with over the previous two years?’ 

Months later, the White House demanded that Safe America Media ‘be considered’ for the ad campaign, and that the White House signed off on them, the report stated. 

A written record of that exists within the DHS and the White House, the outlet added. 

Joseph Folio, the lawyer representing Safe America Media, said that the firm ‘submitted a proposal for and was awarded a contract to support DHS’s nationwide public awareness campaign, and committed substantial resources to meet an accelerated timeline on budget.’ 

Folio continued: ‘We look forward to providing additional information to address inaccuracies in the public reporting and ensure the record accurately reflects the scope and context of that work.’ 

Noem speaking at a packed law enforcement conference in Nashville when the news broke that she was fired by Trump

The Daily Mail contacted the White House, DHS, and Folio for comment. 

The DHS adverts have become the third-most costly US government marketing campaign over the past 10 years, behind COVID PSRs and military recruiting ads. 

Noem has since been referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation over alleged perjury tied to her claims that Trump approved spending for her ad campaign. 

Top congressional Democrats referred her to the DOJ over ‘knowingly making false statements under oath’ to Congress.

A source familiar with the matter previously told the Daily Mail the referral appears ‘pretty weak,’ but said the questions on the advertising contracts would be the stickiest.