What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Donald Trump's presidency is under attack from the crooked media - that was the bizarre message beamed into millions of homes last night, urging supporters to call a phone number to help.

The vaguely sinister advert warns Trump's agenda to tear up the Affordable Healthcare Act, slash taxes for corporations and spend billions of US taxpayers cash are under "vicious attack".

In a shouty, robotic voice, it insists: "They think they are going to destroy Trump's Presidency - but THEY ARE WRONG."

It goes on to claim Democrats are setting up a "war room" to undermine the President, but doesn't really explain what that means.

And in a tone reminiscent of a TV infomercial, it warns "time is running out" and urges people to call a toll free number to prove Trump has the "overwhelming support of the American people."

Video of the deeply weird clip quickly spread on social media with confused Americans questioning why a sitting President appeared to be in campaign mode.

So to clear up the confusion, we rang the number and found out who was running it.

And if anything the phone call is weirder than the TV ad - and asks the caller to donate cash to the group.

And if you press "2" to say no to refuse to give money...it asks a second time just in case.

You can hear the call in full above.

(Image: Rex Features)

Who's running it?

The ads and phone line have come from the Committee to Defend the President.

This official sounding name is actually a front for Stop Hillary - a so-called Hybrid Political Action Committee (PAC).

They were set up ahead of November's election and paid for a string of anti-Clinton TV ads - focusing on stirring the scandal over her handling of the the attack on the US Embassy in Benghazi while she was Secretary of State.

It seems they've found a new purpose.

What's a Hybrid PAC?

A PAC is a company set up to promote a particular cause, usually an election candidate. The law says they can only take individual donations up to $5,000, but are allowed to donate directly to candidates.

There's also something called a Super PAC, which is allowed to take unlimited donations and make unlimited spending - but isn't allowed to donate to or co-ordinate campaigns with a candidate.

In 2011, the Hybrid PAC was invented - essentially a combination of the two, with two separate bank accounts.

When someone makes a massive donation to a Hybrid PAC, the first $5,000 can go into the regular account and can be donated to a candidate, and everything over $5,000 goes into the murkier 'Super' account.

Hang on though, Donald Trump is the President. He's not a candidate for anything...how come he gets a PAC?

(Image: Rex Features)

You may think Donald Trump isn't a candidate any more, but you'd be wrong.

On the day of Trump's inauguration, he registered with the Federal Elections Committee as a candidate in the 2020 Presidential election. He's legally running for re-election already.

Is that unusual?

Yep. Nobody's ever registered as a candidate in the next election before their Presidency has started in the history of the United States.