President Donald Trump defended a controversial campaign advertisement launched by Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The spot features Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who labels her daughter a liar to undermine her political credibility. Despite pushback from several high-profile Republicans, Trump urged Ramaswamy to keep the spot on air. And all I can say is Vivek is great. And much worse, mr. Trump added he only wishes the “mothers of my opponents would be so brave as to come forward and explain that their son or daughter is a liar. And certainly doesn’t want someone who will do a much better job than he is capable of doing, he probably wants a Dumocrat to win. Collins enlists Manchin to woo moderates as she distances herself from Trump.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump praised the commercial as a “very powerful ad” and argued that the media was mounting a coordinated attempt to force its removal because of its political impact. Trump wrote that any public figure whose mother spoke out in such a manner would typically be disqualified from seeking office, adding that he advised Ramaswamy not to pull the content. Frankly, anybody whose mother spoke about a daughter in that way would normally lead to the daughter being precluded from serving in Office, let alone the Office of Governor. Ramaswamy should drop ad featuring Acton’s mom, GOP governor says, as Vance accuses critics of “whining.
The advertisement initially circulated across social media platforms before expanding to television broadcasts. It has sparked intense blowback from Acton’s campaign and family members, who revealed severe personal history surrounding the family dynamic that Trump omitted from his online commentary.
Court records provided by Acton’s campaign show that Arthur’s late husband was previously charged with raping Acton when she was between 10 and 12 years old. The accused man entered a not guilty plea and subsequently fled the jurisdiction while released on bond, preventing the criminal case from proceeding to trial before his death.
Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, issued a scathing statement condemning the political attack as a “despicable low.” Stearns pointed out that their birth mother remained married to Acton’s alleged abuser until his death. He criticized Ramaswamy for turning childhood trauma into a political talking point, calling the move a desperate tactic that exposes the candidate’s character.
When questioned by reporters on the White House South Lawn regarding the family’s background and whether voters should listen to the estranged mother, Trump stated he was unaware of those specific details. He maintained that any mother speaking negatively about a candidate remains significant news that must be taken seriously, noting he was defending the tactic because the press would cover similar claims against him extensively. According to and I know one thing, if my mother, Bad about me, it would be a major news story, that’s for sure. Senior White House reporter Weijia Jiang asked the president why anyone should listen to what the estranged mother has to say. What Happens After Trump?: Why Tim Miller Thinks Politics Can’t Go Back.
Trump also directed harsh criticism at Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who publicly called for the ad’s removal. Calling DeWine disloyal to the Republican Party, Trump asserted that the governor was undermining the campaign and suggested DeWine secretly favored a Democratic victory. Our RINO Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, who I unfortunately helped get elected years ago, when he was losing by 16 points prior to my doing a Rally for him was, as usual, disloyal to the Republican Party,” Mr. Trump wro.
DeWine told reporters that running the commercial was wrong and urged Ramaswamy’s team to pull it from the air, though the governor stopped short of revoking his endorsement of the Republican ticket. In his post, the president specifically went after DeWine.
Other prominent conservative figures expressed contrasting views on the ad’s placement. Vice President JD Vance backed the spot and dismissed party members who criticized the political strategy, telling Republicans to stop complaining about the aggressive campaign tactics.
In contrast, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace denounced the release, calling it the most offensive and shameful advertisement of the current election cycle. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose remarked that while he personally would not run such a spot, individual candidates retain the right to direct their own campaigns. Ohio Senator John Husted, who is currently seeking reelection, similarly stated that he would not have chosen to air the ad. Candidates clash over Trump policies, Senate control in debate.
Despite the divide within the party and repeated calls from state leadership to take down the spot, Ramaswamy has kept the campaign video active across broadcast and digital channels with Trump’s explicit endorsement.
