Former President Donald Trump has launched a Christmas-themed ad blitz in early voting states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina ahead of the upcoming primary races. The video centers on a 2018 visit Trump made to the troops in Iraq as president.

The ad, which was released on Sunday, features Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who previously served as White House press secretary under the Trump administration. She recounted the former president’s Christmas visit to the troops serving in the region.

"It was Christmas Day. We boarded Air Force One in complete and total darkness. We landed in war-torn western Iraq. No lights on the runway. There were hundreds of troops packed into a dining hall," Sanders recalled. "They had absolutely no idea that the president and first lady were about to walk into that room."

The Arkansas governor stated that when Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump entered the room, it “absolutely erupted.” One of the soldiers said the former president was the reason he reenlisted in the Armed Forces.

“That was the kind of patriotism President Trump brought back to our country,” Sanders stated.

🚨 Trump Campaign Releases New Television Ad — "A Christmas To Remember" pic.twitter.com/cy3i8lSmnL

— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) December 24, 2023

Trump also released a message on Christmas celebrating the season and wishing everyone a happy and joyous holiday.

“In this holy time of year, Christians everywhere give thanks that over 2,000 years ago, God sent his only son into the world to be the savior of all mankind. The birth of Jesus Christ is the true miracle we celebrate each Christmas. He is the ultimate source of our joy, our hope, and our sense of peace and goodwill as we gather with family and loved ones. It is such a great time of the year. This is why we can never stop saying that beautiful phrase, Merry Christmas. This holiday, we give thanks for many blessings God has bestowed upon us. We pray for the safety of our men and women in uniform at home and abroad. And we ask God to guide us, give us strength and watch over us in this pivotal year ahead. With his help, by this time next year, we will be well on our way to making America safer, stronger, greater and more prosperous than ever before.”

Trump’s advertisement and message come during the typical lull between the holiday season and the time when primary season heats up in earnest. The former president is working to maintain his lead in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

The most recent RealClearPolling average has Trump in the lead at 51.3 percent in Iowa, 47.6 percent in New Hampshire, and 49.2 percent in South Carolina.

The advertisement seems intended to remind the voting base that he is the only one in the field who has experience managing the military and foreign policy. The patriotic themes in the ad are likely designed to emphasize Trump’s constant promises to put America first. It is certainly an effective campaign ad. However, the former president might not have as easy a road to travel as it might seem. His legal troubles continue to cast a shadow over his campaign.