Trump ad misstates US funding

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Michael E. Mann

Scholar power: 11.0%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brendan Nyhan	11%	51	7.9%
🎓 Michael E. Mann	3%	111	3.2%
Total			11.0%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

88.0%

10.9 h

402

11.0%

Ranking score

0.584

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Brian Young, Sarah Roberts

10%

Scholar power: 10.8%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brendan Nyhan	11%	51	7.9%
🎓 Brian Young	4%	25	2.0%
🎓 Sarah Roberts	2%	21	0.9%
Total			10.8%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

75.0%

10.0 h

328

10.8%

Ranking score

0.358

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Aman Batheja

@amanbatheja.bsky.social

Politico: Trump is airing a pro-Trump midterms ad on TV that

-includes “paid for by the U.S. government” disclaimer text

-features a song by an artist who says they didn’t approve it’s use and are now looking for a lawyer

Trump administration launches pro-Trump TV ad ahead of midterms

The 30-second ad, apparently paid for by U.S. tax dollars, features photos and videos of Trump, the American flag and military aircraft.

www.politico.com

September 24, 2026 at 7:27 PM

by Richard W. Painter

15%

Scholar power: 15.2%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Richard W. Painter	16%	10	15.2%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

65.0%

12.2 h

705

15.2%

Ranking score

0.294

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Brendan Nyhan Reposted by Will Jennings

34%

Scholar power: 34.3%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brendan Nyhan	11%	51	23.6%
🎓 Will Jennings	15%	51	10.7%
Total			34.3%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index + sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

60.0%

9.8 h

34

34.3%

Ranking score

0.271

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Brendan Nyhan

@brendannyhan.bsky.social

In competitive authoritarian regimes, the ruling party uses its control of the government to stack the deck against their opponents. We're not there (yet at least), but this is exactly the kind of thing you would see in such a regime.

Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 9h

Politico: Trump is airing a pro-Trump midterms ad on TV that

-includes “paid for by the U.S. government” disclaimer text

-features a song by an artist who says they didn’t approve it’s use and are now looking for a lawyer

Trump administration launches pro-Trump TV ad ahead of midterms

The 30-second ad, apparently paid for by U.S. tax dollars, features photos and videos of Trump, the American flag and military aircraft.

www.politico.com

September 24, 2026 at 7:37 PM

by Michael B. Bishku

12%

Scholar power: 12.7%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Michael B. Bishku	15%	8	12.7%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

79.0%

6.7 h

0

12.7%

Ranking score

0.092

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Michael B. Bishku

@mbishku.bsky.social

abcnews.com/Politics/tru... — Why is CBS airing a similar ad tonight?! This was mentioned on CBS News at 6:30 pm EDT…

Is the Trump administration's campaign-style ad on Fox News taxpayer-funded?

The 30-second spot includes the disclosure "Paid for by the U.S. Government."

abcnews.com

September 24, 2026 at 10:43 PM

by Richard W. Painter

15%

Scholar power: 15.2%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Richard W. Painter	16%	10	15.2%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

73.0%

12.1 h

56

15.2%

Ranking score

0.191

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Dean Baker, James S. Shortle

8%

Scholar power: 8.3%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brendan Nyhan	11%	51	7.9%
🎓 Dean Baker	1%	21	0.5%
🎓 James S. Shortle	-	40	-
Total			8.3%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

47.0%

15.7 h

614

8.3%

Ranking score

0.072

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Brendan Nyhan

23%

Scholar power: 23.6%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brendan Nyhan	11%	51	23.6%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

68.0%

9.8 h

0

23.6%

Ranking score

0.071

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Brian Keegan

12%

Scholar power: 12.7%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brian Keegan	8%	28	12.7%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

60.0%

3.8 h

0

12.7%

Ranking score

0.068

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Brian C. Keegan, Ph.D.

@brianckeegan.com

someone is breaking the law so just start charging people instead of shrugging like “whatcha gonna do?” www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

Trump’s Public Service Announcement: ‘Love Me’

Taxpayers are funding a campaign-style ad for the president.

www.theatlantic.com

September 25, 2026 at 1:39 AM

by Brian Young

6%

Scholar power: 6.0%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brian Young	4%	25	6.0%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

71.0%

5.5 h

0

6.0%

Ranking score

0.045

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Brian Young

@brianyoungan.bsky.social

This is obviously illegal, but putting Trump out on the airwaves will probably lead to more Democrats getting elected so maybe it is a public service?

Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 9h

Politico: Trump is airing a pro-Trump midterms ad on TV that

-includes “paid for by the U.S. government” disclaimer text

-features a song by an artist who says they didn’t approve it’s use and are now looking for a lawyer

Trump administration launches pro-Trump TV ad ahead of midterms

The 30-second ad, apparently paid for by U.S. tax dollars, features photos and videos of Trump, the American flag and military aircraft.

www.politico.com

September 24, 2026 at 11:53 PM

by Dean Baker

1%

Scholar power: 1.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Dean Baker	1%	21	1.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

50.0%

1.2 h

0

1.4%

Ranking score

0.043

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Reposted by Henry Jones

2%

Scholar power: 2.3%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Henry Jones	7%	11	2.3%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

88.0%

11.2 h

31

2.3%

Ranking score

0.041

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

The Wall Street Journal

@wsj.com

A pro-Trump ad that said it was paid for by the U.S. government aired on Fox News in major TV markets. Ethics experts said it could violate federal law. on.wsj.com/4hm6XYW

A pro-Trump ad that said it was paid for by the U.S. government aired on Fox News in major TV markets. Ethics experts said it could violate federal law.

The unusual ad, which said it was paid for by the U.S. government, aired on Fox News in major TV markets.

on.wsj.com

September 24, 2026 at 6:15 PM

Reposted by Dean Baker

0%

Scholar power: 0.5%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Dean Baker	1%	21	0.5%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

47.0%

6.5 h

813

0.5%

Ranking score

0.032

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Reposted by Dean Baker

0%

Scholar power: 0.5%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Dean Baker	1%	21	0.5%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

51.0%

9.1 h

585

0.5%

Ranking score

0.028

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Jack Goldsmith

16%

Scholar power: 16.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Jack Goldsmith	10%	30	16.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

53.0%

14.0 h

1

16.4%

Ranking score

0.021

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

7%

Scholar power: 7.9%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Brendan Nyhan	11%	51	7.9%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

55.0%

13.7 h

12

7.9%

Ranking score

0.02

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Reposted by Mark Rice

0%

Scholar power: 0.5%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Mark Rice	1%	26	0.5%

Formula for scholar power: sum of each reposter's field match × √reposter's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

63.0%

8.5 h

24

0.5%

Ranking score

0.02

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Dan Friedman

@dfriedman.bsky.social

"A White House official disputed that the ad was political, and referred to it as a 'public service announcement.'” www.wsj.com/politics/u-s...

U.S. Government Airs Pro-Trump, Anti-Communism Ad

The unusual ad, which said it was paid for by the U.S. government, aired on Fox News in major TV markets.

www.wsj.com

September 24, 2026 at 8:58 PM

by Tom Stoppard

3%

Scholar power: 3.8%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Tom Stoppard	4%	10	3.8%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

55.0%

3.5 h

1

3.8%

Ranking score

0.02

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Brice Ezell

@briceezell.bsky.social

I am 99 percent convinced that most network TV ads you see are just placeholder things to create the appearance of TV happening. Like, I am vaguely aware a show called "FBI" exists, but I assume that if I try to watch it at its stated time it'll just be commercials, including some for "FBI"

September 25, 2026 at 1:56 AM

by Jack Goldsmith

16%

Scholar power: 16.4%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Jack Goldsmith	10%	30	16.4%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

53.0%

14.8 h

0

16.4%

Ranking score

0.016

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

by Victor Pickard

20%

Scholar power: 20.3%

Story's scientific field profile

Law 46%, Political science 27%, Communication & Media Studies 27%

Name	Field match	H-index	Scholar power
🎓 Victor Pickard	13%	27	20.3%

Formula for scholar power: 3 × author's field match × √author's h-index

Ranking score inputs

Relevance

Recency

Reposts

Scholar power

49.0%

17.2 h

0

20.3%

Ranking score

0.013

Formula for ranking score (post): scholar_power × max((total_reposts)^(1/3), 1) × (1 / max(hours_since_posted, 1)) × (raw_relevance)^3

Victor Pickard

@victorpickard.bsky.social

Was interviewed for this piece about "Trump TV" in @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91611853/tru...

Trump loves good ratings. He won't find them on 'Trump TV'

A just-launched YouTube channel that shows nothing but 24/7 Trump clips is having trouble attracting viewers.

www.fastcompany.com

September 24, 2026 at 12:13 PM

Add to Home Screen

News, ranked by scholars

Trump ad misstates US funding

Add to Home Screen

News, ranked by scholars

Trump ad misstates US funding

Scholar power: 11.0%

Scholar power: 10.8%

Scholar power: 15.2%

Scholar power: 34.3%

Scholar power: 12.7%

Scholar power: 15.2%

Scholar power: 8.3%

Scholar power: 23.6%

Scholar power: 12.7%

Scholar power: 6.0%

Scholar power: 1.4%

Scholar power: 2.3%

Scholar power: 0.5%

Scholar power: 0.5%

Scholar power: 16.4%

Scholar power: 7.9%

Scholar power: 0.5%

Scholar power: 3.8%

Scholar power: 16.4%

Scholar power: 20.3%

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