President’s U-turn comes after Democrats and Republicans condemned use of tax dollars for pro-Trump ads

Donald Trump said on Monday he would pay for taxpayer-funded, pro-Trump ads “with money I raised for MAGA, Inc.”, a political action committee, after the television advertisements glorifying himself sparked a major backlash.

In a social media post, Trump characterized the ads, which cost at least $1.5m in federal funds, as “a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A.” and called them “a rather standard thing to do”.

• Incident came after tight end appealed non-call

• Second official suspended for actions in Minnesota game

The NFL has suspended a line judge two games for swearing at Arizona tight end Trey McBride.

Line judge Jeff Seeman was caught on camera cursing at McBride during the Cardinals’ loss at the New York Giants on Sunday. The incident drew the ire of union leader JC Tretter.