Trump Urges Ramaswamy to Keep Controversial Ad Featuring Acton Family Drama

Published On 23 Oct 202623 Oct 2026

President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to continue airing a contentious campaign advertisement that spotlights Democratic opponent Amy Acton’s family turmoil, despite mounting criticism from within the GOP.

In a post on Thursday, Trump encouraged Ramaswamy to maintain the ad, which includes footage of Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, disputing the Democratic candidate’s account of childhood trauma and urging voters to reject her.

The advertisement has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Ohio, where Acton and Ramaswamy are locked in a tight race to succeed term-limited Governor Mike DeWine. Acton has not seen her mother since 1978, and she previously went public with allegations of sexual abuse by her stepfather, who passed away in 2004 following charges of rape.

“Anybody whose mother spoke about a daughter in that way would normally lead to the daughter being precluded from serving in office,” Trump commented on social media, aligning himself with Ramaswamy’s campaign strategy.

Trump also criticized Governor DeWine, who called for the ad’s removal during a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse. The president labeled DeWine “disloyal” to the Republican Party for distancing himself from the ad.

‘It’s wrong’

During his appearance at the state capitol, DeWine reflected on his tenure as a county prosecutor and state attorney general, recalling the harrowing testimonies of sexual assault survivors.

“It’s wrong to run this ad,” DeWine stated firmly. “And, even at this late time – my wife, Fran, saw the advertisement just run this morning on TV – I would just urge the Ramaswamy campaign to take this down.”

Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, denounced the advertisement as a “desperate, disgusting attack,” while the candidate’s campaign press secretary, Addie Bullock, described Ramaswamy’s promotion of the ad as “both despicable and entirely predictable.”

Vice President JD Vance, who appeared alongside Ramaswamy and U.S. Senator Jon Husted earlier in the week, dismissed GOP critics’ concerns, expressing frustration with colleagues who he felt were mishandling the situation.

The Ramaswamy campaign announced plans to invest $4 million in promoting the advertisement, signaling its commitment to the messaging despite calls for restraint. Current polling shows Acton holding a slim lead over Ramaswamy in the closely watched contest.

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