ICYMI: DNC’s New Ad Campaign Puts Donald Trump and Vulnerable House Republicans on Blast for Their Assault on Free Speech Arrow

Earlier this week, the DNC launched a new ad campaign condemning Donald Trump's ongoing assault on free speech. The campaign targets conservative and independent voters in districts represented by vulnerable Reps. Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

Take a look at some of the coverage below:

Fox News: Democrats target vulnerable House Republicans as they slam Trump's 'attacks on free speech'

[Paul Steinhauser, 9/24/25]

"The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Wednesday launched a new digital ad campaign spotlighting what it calls President Donald Trump's 'ongoing attacks on free speech' following last week's suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel from his late-night TV perch.

"The spots, which will target a handful of House Republicans in swing districts who face challenging re-elections in next year's midterms, will run on conservative and independent media, including the podcasts of media superstars Joe Rogan and Ben Shapiro, who are very popular among younger and male audiences. …

'The American people don't support attacks on free speech, which is why Trump is losing support among independent and conservative voters,' the DNC argued in a statement. 'The Republican base is fracturing, with Republican figures including Megyn Kelly, Ted Cruz, and Ben Shapiro loudly breaking with the administration.' …

"'It's clear Donald Trump only cares about silencing his critics - and now, voters across the country and in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are going to hear about it,' the DNC claimed. …

"DNC Chair Ken Martin, in a statement to Fox News, said, 'Donald Trump's administration has amassed a chilling record of restricting speech, extorting private companies, and dropping the full weight of the government censorship hammer on Americans simply exercising their First Amendment rights. This is no exaggeration, and it's splintering the coalition that got Trump elected.'

"Martin claimed that Trump is 'attempting to silence people. It's un-American, and Democrats won't stand for it.'"

Hollywood Reporter: … Can Jimmy Kimmel Help [Democrats]?

[Peter Kiefer, 9/25/25]

"The night of Kimmel's return, which saw a massive surge in viewers, the Democratic National Committee launched a digital ad campaign focused on Trump's attacks on media companies.

"As far as campaigns go, it was a small spend - just five figures - but its impact highlights how potent free speech and censorship are as issues across party lines. The 30-second ad was viewed over half a million times, and reached 40,000 unique voters, which is more than double the engagement that one would typically see on this type of campaign, says Abhi Rahman, deputy communications director for the Democratic National Committee. 'Freedom of speech is an issue that transcends party lines,' says Rahman, who noted that much of the DNC's spend went to pay for pre-roll ads that ran on both Ben Shapiro and Joe Rogan's shows.'"

Penn Live: 'Democrats launch ad campaign calling out Trump for attacking free speech"

[J.D. Prose, 9/24/25]

"As President Donald Trump's attacks on comedians and others for saying things he doesn't like continues, the Democratic National Committee is launching an ad campaign Wednesday spotlighting his anti-free speech rhetoric.

"In a five-figure, Pennsylvania-wide online campaign, the DNC will focus its efforts on conservative and independent voters.

"The DNC's 30-second ad starts by showing Trump bragging about signing an executive order to stop government censorship before quickly segueing to news reports about the Federal Communications Commission pressuring for the removal of late-night TV hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel.

"'Trump wants to control what you see so he can control what you think,' says the narrator at the ad's conclusion."

New Jersey Globe: Democrats Target Independents, Conservatives in NJ-7 with Trump-focused ad campaign

[Joey Fox, 9/24/25]

"The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is wading into the race for New Jersey's 7th congressional district, targeting independent and conservative voters with a new digital ad campaign focused on free speech and President Donald Trump.

"Nonetheless, the ad provides a window into how Democrats are thinking about the race for the 7th district.

"'Donald Trump's administration has amassed a chilling record of restricting speech, extorting private companies, and dropping the full weight of the government censorship hammer on Americans simply exercising their First Amendment rights,' DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. 'This is no exaggeration, and it's splintering the coalition that got Trump elected.'"

Virginia Mercury: DNC ad emphasizes free speech, critiques Trump, targets Virginia's 1st, 2nd Congressional Districts

[Charlotte Rene Woods, 9/24/25]

"The Democratic National Committee launched a five-figure digital ad campaign Wednesday focused on the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech, in a campaign targeting Virginia's 1st and 2nd Congressional districts where incumbents Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, and Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, have been perceived as vulnerable by Democrats.

"The new ads are geared towards voters in the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts who may be ready for a change in representation, organizers said, and tie incumbents Wittman and Kiggans to Trump amid the free speech debacle. Last year, Kiggans campaigned with Trump in Chesapeake while Wittman campaigned with then-Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump in Chesterfield. …

"'Donald Trump's administration has amassed a chilling record of restricting speech, extorting private companies, and dropping the full weight of the government censorship hammer on Americans simply exercising their First Amendment rights," DNC chair Ken Martin said in a statement. "This is no exaggeration, and it's splintering the coalition that got Trump elected. That's why today, the DNC announced a new digital ad campaign in VA-01 and VA-02 targeting conservative and independent voters.'"