Donald Trump’s rising popularity in the 2016 election prompted Democrats to liken the billionaire real estate mogul to World War II villain Adolf Hitler.

That obviously didn’t work, but it’s not stopping the left from attempts to smear the president by linking him to another hated bad guy – Obama bid Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 terrorist attacks.

“I’m different. I’m not a politician. I’m a Rhodes Scholar who served in combat,” Helmer said in a voiceover for the commercial, which features images of a mustached Helmer in military fatigues during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I’m for a Medicare for all option, and against drug companies that rip off seniors,” he continued. “I’ll fight the gun lobby to protect children, not guns.”

That’s when Helmer takes his pot shot at the president.

“After 9-11, the greatest threat to our democracy lived in a cave,” Helmer said as the screen flashed images of bin Laden hiding out underground. “Today, he lives in the White House.

“No one, even the president, is above the law.”

It certainly is not the first time Helmer’s put out questionable campaign ads.

Fox News reports:

Helmer … released another ad earlier this month which showed him buying a rifle at a gun show without having to complete a background check. Federal background checks are required in order for someone to purchase a gun from a federal firearms licensed dealer; private sales are not subjected to background checks.

Last year, his campaign released a “Top Gun”-style ad that featured Helmer singing karaoke to a Comstock lookalike at a bar about her lack of town hall meetings and opposition to Planned Parenthood and ObamaCare.

Trump’s people, of course, were not impressed with Helmer’s latest ad.

“The message sent in a campaign ad from a congressional candidate from Virginia is nothing short of reprehensible. Leaders from across the political spectrum – starting with Leader (Nancy) Pelosi – must swiftly condemn this abhorrent message,” White House spokesman Raj Shah said, according to The Hill.

So far, that hasn’t happened. Pelosi has remained silent about the ad, perhaps because Helmer has already promised not to support Pelosi if Democrats take control of the House in the 2018 midterms.

“Surprisingly enough, Veteran (capital-V) Dan Helmer actually did oppose Pelosi’s return as speaker – that is, after the appropriate ring kissing about how ‘amazing’ Pelosi is,” The Republican Standard reports.

Political pundits in Virginia are betting Helmer won’t make it past the state’s primary on June 12.