President Trump's $5.6m 30-second commercial sparks fury after he boasts about freeing black prisoner Alice Johnson

President Trump's re-election campaign purchased a first quarter commercial slot for the Super Bowl

The ad, which depicted the Commander-in-chief as an advocate for criminal justice reform, divided opinion

Some dismissed it as 'trash' and 'pathetic' while others said it was 'simply brilliant' and thanked the president

By LUKE ANDREWS FOR MAILONLINE and ANDREW COURT and MEGAN SHEETS FOR DAILYMAIL.COM  3 February 2020

President Trump's $5.6 million 30-second Super Bowl commercial sparked fury on Sunday after he boasted about freeing black prisoner Alice Johnson.

In the clip, priced at more than $186,000 a second, the president pitches himself as a champion of criminal justice reform and claims credit for the release of Ms Johnson, who is shown crying and holding flowers, after she is released following a life sentence for nonviolent drugs offences.

A second advert, aired after the Super Bowl, struck a more 'Trumpian' tone as it set out his nationalistic credentials with images of the US army, navy and air force alongside crowds cheering and waving US flags.

His adverts were branded as 'trash' online by some viewers, while a former democratic speech writer also accused him of 'screaming at black athletes'. Others were impressed, however, telling Trump 'well done sir' and 'simply brilliant'.

Presidential hopeful Mike Bloomberg paid $11million for a 60-second ad space during the Super Bowl, in which he put himself forward as a president that would fight against the powerful gun lobby. 

Trump releases Super Bowl ad for 2020 reelection campaign


The Super Bowl advert pitched Trump as a criminal justice reformer. It showed prisoner Alice Johnson crying and holding flowers after she was released from a life prison sentence following a conviction for nonviolent drug offences

Mr Trump's decision to feature Ms Johnson has been criticised online. Celebrity Kim Kardashian worked for her release, and hired a team of top lawyers. President Trump granted her clemency in 2018 following a visit to the Oval Office



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Kim Kardashian pictured with Alice Johnson. Ms Kardashian has also written the foreword to Ms Johnson's memoir. Above right is Ms Johnson's tweet after the Super Bowl advert was broadcast

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Trump tweeted the first advert with a caption saying he promises to 'restore hope in America. That includes the least among us'. The second advert, posted after the Super Bowl, had the caption 'Hope you liked this!'.



















Trump's advert played during the game began with the phrase; 'Thanks to President Trump, people like Alice are getting a second chance.'

It then showed Alice crying and holding flowers following her release before stating that the president doesn't just talk about criminal justice reform, he 'got it done'.

Trump goes on to claim that through his work thousands of families have been re-united.

The advert was slammed online as 'embarrassing', 'pathetic' and 'racist', with one Twitter user even accusing the president of tearing families apart from 'the minute he got into office'.

Former Democratic speechwriter Jake Maccoby also posted a tweeted accusing the president of hypocrisy, writing: '"Don't bring your politics into sports!" Trump screamed at black athletes while purchasing a million-dollar super bowl ad'.

Alice Johnson was released from prison following a tireless campaign headed by celebrity Kim Kardashian, who recruited a team of dedicated lawyers to work on her case.

She was granted clemency a week after an Oval office meeting with Trump in 2018.

Ms Kardashian also wrote the foreword to Ms Johnson's memoir, After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom, that was published last year.

After the ad went out, Ms Johnson tweeted it with the caption: 'Two Super Bowls ago I was sitting in a prison cell. Today I am a free woman and my story was featured in a Super Bowl Ad.

'I will spend the rest of my life fighting for the wrongly and unjustly convicted! God Bless America!'

Ms Kardashian tweeted to Ms Johnson 'so proud of you!!!' after viewing the advert.

Trump has also overseen the separation of families crossing the US-Mexico border during his presidency. Dozens of parents were split from their children and sent to jail while their sons and daughters were taken into foster care.

The policy was changed in 2018 following a powerful lobby, which included his wife and US first lady Melania. She also launched a 'Be Best' initiative focusing on the well-being of children.

Despite the outcry, others heralded Trump's advert as a success. One tweeted: 'Over 100 million Americans saw this glorious Super Bowl ad by President Trump... Promises made. Promises kept.'

Another said: 'Powerful! Well done sir!'. And a third remarked that the advert was 'simply brilliant'. 

Trump releases second re-election campaign Super Bowl commercial





Trump's second video saw the president stray back onto nationalistic ground. He showed images of the US army (left), navy (centre) and air force (right) alongside the words stronger, safer and more prosperous

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The second clip also shows President Trump and Mike Pence standing in front of American flags at a rally

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Crowds of people cheering and brandishing American flags and vote Trump placards were also shown in the advert

The President's second advert, played after the Super Bowl, took him back onto home turf by stressing his nationalistic credentials.

It begins with Trump walking towards a US flag before showing pictures of the US army, navy and air force as the words 'stronger', 'safer' and 'more prosperous' flash across the screen.

The video then reminds voters that the economy has swelled under Trump and unemployment has reached a 49-year low.

Some Twitter users again were not impressed, stating the ad 'made me vomit', 'really sucks' and 'the world is laughing at you'.

However, others were more convinced and called for 'four more years of you!', as well as saying 'God bless you President Trump!' and 'You're the best President Trump, with the Lord's love and prayers'.

Economic growth under the president has remained at a steady two to three per cent of GDP, although this is expected to slow due to trade tensions.

Wages have also climbed more than three per cent before slowing again, which may be linked to tax cuts.

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