The short version
- President Trump publicly supported Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to run an ad featuring the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, despite widespread criticism.
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Senate candidate Ashley Hinson broke with the president, calling the ad 'terrible' and urging its removal due to its exploitation of trauma.
- The Ohio Secretary of State is reviewing complaints about the ad, including potential violations regarding required disclaimers.
President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial campaign advertisement in the Ohio gubernatorial race, urging the Republican candidate to continue airing a spot that features the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Dr. Amy Acton. Speaking at a rally in Iowa, Trump told supporters he had encouraged Ramaswamy to 'ride with it,' defending the ad against mounting criticism from both parties and within his own political circle.
The advertisement centers on Donna Arthur, Acton’s mother, who claims her daughter has 'lied her entire life.' The ad does not disclose that Arthur lost custody of Acton and her brother after her husband was indicted for raping Acton when she was a child. This omission has drawn sharp condemnation, with critics arguing the campaign is exploiting severe personal trauma for political gain. Acton described the move as 'despicable,' noting that she has never attacked Ramaswamy’s family.
Trump’s defense of the ad marked a clear break from several prominent Republicans. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who had previously endorsed Ramaswamy, called the advertisement 'deeply, deeply troubling' and urged the campaign to take it down. DeWine recalled his own experiences dealing with rape victims as a prosecutor and attorney general, stating that using such personal history in a multimillion-dollar ad campaign was wrong. Despite this, DeWine stopped short of withdrawing his endorsement entirely.
Iowa Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson also broke ranks with the president, denouncing the ad as 'absolutely terrible' and calling for its removal. Her stance highlights internal divisions within the GOP regarding the boundaries of acceptable campaign tactics. While Trump praised Ramaswamy’s strategy, suggesting that Acton is a 'disaster who uncontrollably lies, cheats, and steals,' other Republicans have expressed discomfort with the personal nature of the attack.
The Ramaswamy campaign has doubled down on the strategy, confirming they produced the ad and announcing plans to spend $4 million to broadcast it across television and online platforms. Campaign officials argued that Acton’s team had previously attacked Ramaswamy’s family by citing an investigative report into his mother’s role at a pharmaceutical company. They characterized those earlier claims as 'slanderous' and asserted that they are being held to a different standard than their Democratic opponents.
Acton’s campaign responded by releasing its own ad featuring her brother, who recounted the abuse he and Acton suffered as children. The spot chided Ramaswamy for turning sexual assault into a 'political talking point.' This counter-narrative aims to contextualize the estrangement between Acton and her mother, emphasizing that Arthur left with the accused stepfather before he could stand trial; he later fled the state and died in 2004 without being prosecuted.
Beyond political rhetoric, the ad has triggered regulatory scrutiny. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that his office is reviewing complaints regarding the advertisement. One concern involves whether the ad initially aired without a legally required disclaimer identifying who paid for it. This legal review adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious campaign dynamic.
Trump’s intervention underscores the high stakes of the Ohio governor’s race, which will see outgoing Governor DeWine replaced in the November midterm elections. By framing the backlash as media-driven and praising the 'bravery' of Acton’s mother for speaking out, Trump is attempting to rally his base around Ramaswamy’s aggressive tactics. However, the alienation of key GOP figures like DeWine and Hinson suggests that the strategy carries significant political risk.
As the election approaches, the effectiveness of this ad remains unresolved. While it has generated substantial attention and debate, it has also galvanized opposition and raised ethical questions about campaign conduct. The coming weeks will likely see intensified scrutiny of both candidates’ records and messaging, with the personal nature of this attack potentially shaping voter perceptions beyond traditional policy debates.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Trump tells Iowa rally crowd he encouraged Ramaswamy to keep running widely criticized campaign ad – as it happened
- PBS NewsHour↗WATCH: Trump defends Ramaswamy's attack ad against Acton amid bipartisan criticism
- Axios↗Exclusive: Ramaswamy doubles down on explosive ad featuring rival's mother, despite backlash