No Going Back PAC ad targeting Jake Johnson rated C-minus for mixed accuracy

A new television advertisement criticizing Democratic congressional candidate Jake Johnson in Minnesota's First District has received a C-minus rating for mixing true, false, and misleading statements. The ad was produced by the No Going Back political action committee, which is affiliated with President Donald Trump's campaign operations. The group has raised $200 million to support Republican candidates and oppose Democrats nationwide.

The spot claims that former Governor Tim Walz and Johnson promoted Somali immigration while committing rampant government fraud. Walz did endorse Johnson through his Small Town PAC, and the two share a history as former First District congressmen. However, the ad's assertion that both specifically promoted Somali immigration lacks supporting evidence, although Walz has expressed general support for the Somali community.

The advertisement further alleges that Walz and Johnson intend to raise taxes by 24 percent, costing families $1,500. This claim is based on a memo from the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee posted in 2025. The memo outlined potential tax increases if the Trump tax cuts were not extended. Those cuts were subsequently extended through the Big Beautiful Budget Bill, which Congress passed more than a year ago, rendering the figures in the ad outdated.

Johnson has released a Taxpayer Protection Pledge during his campaign. The document proposes making the tax code fairer for working families and calls for tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations. This stands in contrast to the ad's portrayal of the candidates as tax hikers.

The C-minus grade reflects a mix of accurate information and misleading claims that provide insufficient context. The rating system assigns an A for nearly complete accuracy with little exaggeration. A B allows for mostly accurate information with minor exaggerations. A C results from inaccurate or exaggerated information that misleads viewers. A D is given when at least half the information is false or misleading. An F is assigned when more than half the information is outright false or out of context.

The No Going Back PAC continues to deploy this messaging as part of its national effort to support Republican challengers. The ad targets Johnson specifically by linking him to Walz and using financial figures from a previously superseded legislative memo.