• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, May 5, 2017

Think you’ve seen the last of Trump-backed TV commercials touting his big presidential/legislative actions on cable TV news networks? I doubt it.

Just think about what happened on Thursday -- when the Trump Administration pushed through a plan to replace Obamacare with the House of Representatives passing a new healthcare bill.

Still, it's not done yet. (The bill still needs to get through the Senate.) But this doesn’t mean Trump won’t look for ways to celebrate.

Earlier in the week, the Trump Administration wanted to celebrate all the efforts around his first 100 days -- with money from the still active Donald J. Trump for President campaign.

In the spot, which touted a new Supreme Court judge, fewer federal regulations and a tax cut plan to come, the commercial also took a shot at many TV news organizations.

“You wouldn’t know it from watching the news,” says the voiceover in the commercial, “America is winning.”

All this occurred while a “fake news” graphic appeared on the video of many cable TV news personalities: MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos and CBS’ Scott Pelley.

Only two networks have run the spot so far, Fox News Channel and Fox Business -- since May 2, a total of seven airings, two in prime time, totaling $57,649 worth of TV media time, according to iSpot.tv.

CNN declined to run the commercial. No word on whether other networks also turned down the spot. Reports says this is part of a $1.5 million total TV media buy.

The chief issue for CNN was the “fake news” graphic:

"CNN requested that the advertiser remove the false graphic that says the mainstream media is 'fake news,'" CNN said in a statement. “The mainstream media is not fake news, and therefore the ad is false.” Thus CNN declined the ad.

Yes, for his part, Jeff Zucker, CEO of CNN Worldwide, has had many testy moments with Republican President candidate Donald Trump -- and now as president.

But this isn’t new when it comes to TV marketers. For decades, TV networks have declined running questionable commercials from marketers who make outrageous or sweepingly false claims.

So why not the president? The political campaign -- focused around the efforts of President Donald Trump -- is a marketing ploy. Other TV marketers whose commercials get rejected know it’s all about the business and viability of their messaging. 

And Fox’s decision? We haven’t heard its explanation. No matter. Trump knows you can tout big wins -- even partial big wins. And for future stuff? Some TV networks will always buy in.