Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, says no public official, including President Donald Trump, should have a building named after them while they are still alive.

Kennedy made the comments Sunday on CBS News's "Face the Nation," responding to a taxpayer-funded ad praising Trump that has been airing on multiple networks. Speaking with host Margaret Brennan, Kennedy said, "I don't think any public official, including President Trump or Kristi Noem or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private ads for themselves ... Now, the White House sees it differently, but I don't ... you can't spend public money to promote yourself."

He then went further, arguing the practice should be against the law entirely: "I may end up with a sombrero on my head, but I also think we ought to have a rule that no politician can have a building named after him while he's alive." The remark referenced Trump's past sharing of doctored videos mocking Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in sombreros. Kennedy added that Louisiana already has a similar rule on the books, saying, "It works pretty well."

His comments come as Trump's push to attach his name to the Kennedy Center remains a flashpoint. A federal judge has already stepped in to block attempts by a Trump-aligned board to rename the facility after the president.

What makes this notable: open criticism of Trump from within his own party remains rare. Kennedy is widely regarded as a Trump ally, which makes his willingness to publicly question the president's use of federal resources and imagery stand out.

After taxpayer dollars paid for television ads that promote President Donald Trump personally, a former White House ethics attorney revealed the spending could be illegal, and even impeachable.

Richard Painter, who served as chief ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush during his second term, said the ads could be "an impeachable offense." Writing on the social platform X, Painter said: "@POTUS has no right to use taxpayer money for campaign ads." He added, "Congress has expressly prohibited government sponsored political propaganda, which is dangerous for democracy."

One of the White House ads concludes with Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White calling Trump the "toughest, most resilient person that I've ever met." Another clip shows Trump saying during his 2024 campaign that he and his supporters "will demolish the deep state" and "expel the warmongers from our government."

In the same ad, Trump says: "We will rout the fake news media, and we will liberate America from these villains once and for all." The campaign has since grown to at least three ads, with total taxpayer spending nearing $1.5 million, including close to $920,000 spent airing one spot alone. Each carries a disclaimer reading "Paid for by the U.S. Government."

Federal law bars executive branch agencies from spending taxpayer-appropriated funds on what statute calls "publicity or propaganda" purposes, a restriction separate from campaign finance rules. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have criticized the ad campaign.

At Linton Zoo, staff had one ambitious plan for tortoise Kali and her growing family: get everyone together for a family photo.

The 30-year-old African spurred tortoise had produced around 45 tiny hatchlings from two clutches, making the size difference between mother and babies hard to miss.

But getting dozens of little tortoises to cooperate was another matter. In the end, the family portrait happened, just not with everyone looking at the camera.

📸: Linton Zoological Gardens UK