# Trump Media Buys Its First National TV Ad, Airing During the Villanova-Notre Dame Game in Rome

The 30-second spot for Truth Social runs during Sunday's Eternal City Tip-Off. The interim CEO says the company wants to grow its faith-based audience and its reach abroad.

- Section: [Economy](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/economy/)
- Published: 2026-11-01
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/trump-media-first-national-tv-ad-villanova-notre-dame-rome-mcgurn-truth-plus-fox-business/

Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social, will air its first 30-second national television ad on Sunday during Villanova's basketball game against Notre Dame in Rome, Fox Business reports.

The plan. The ad runs during the Eternal City Tip-Off, a men's and women's doubleheader between the two Catholic universities. The men's game tips at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX, and the women's game follows at noon ET on FS1, both at Rome's Palazzo dello Sport. The event was inspired by the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and a Villanova graduate.

What the company says. Interim CEO Kevin McGurn said: "We want more voices talking about the things that they care about all around the world." He called the game "a feel-good story" and said the faith-based and Catholic communities are "very well represented" on Truth Social and its streaming service, Truth+, which he said carries more than 50 channels of news, faith programming, movies, television and sports. He named the Catholic History Channel, Catholic Stream and Catholic Herald among its offerings.

Background. McGurn was named interim CEO in April, succeeding former Rep. Devin Nunes. Fox Business says Trump Media has done sports sponsorships before, but this is its first 30-second national commercial. The report also says Villanova reported applications rose more than 10% in the first admission cycle after the pope's 2025 election.

What to keep in mind. The company's goals for the ad and its growth plans are statements from its own executive. The report gives no cost for the spot and no audience or revenue targets.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox Business](https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/trump-media-debuts-first-national-television-ad-during-college-basketball-game-rome)