Ramaswamy Ad Featuring Acton's Estranged Mother Draws Trump and Vance Defense
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy released a campaign ad featuring Donna Arthur, the long-estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, calling her daughter a "liar" and saying she "needs help." Acton, who has not seen her mother since age 12, called the ad "exploitive." The spot drew widespread condemnation, including from many Republicans, and Acton's brother corroborated her account of childhood sexual abuse. President Donald Trump called the ad "very powerful" and urged Ramaswamy to keep it up, while Vice President J.D. Vance told Republicans to "stop whining." Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called it "deeply troubling."
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Ramaswamy Aired Attack Ad Featuring Opponent's Ailing Estranged Mother
Vivek Ramaswamy proceeded with a campaign ad featuring Donna Arthur, the long-estranged mother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, despite sources telling Zeteo that Arthur appeared mentally unwell and was 'far gone' and 'in bad shape' during filming. Court filings obtained by NBC News revealed Arthur faced animal neglect charges in 2022 after hoarding 20 cats in her sedan, and exhibited beliefs that animal rescue workers were conspiring to steal her pets. Acton, who said she has not seen her mother since age 12, called the ad 'exploitive' and said her mother 'is not well.' Ramaswamy reportedly ignored his own team's advice and publicly available information that Arthur had abandoned her children and that her husband was indicted for allegedly raping Acton when she was under 13. The article also covers unrelated stories about Trump's AI chatbot use and a general's firing.
Read sourceRamaswamy Ad on Acton's Abuse Claims Draws Trump and Vance Defense
Reason Magazine analyzes the escalating nastiness in Ohio's 2026 governor's race between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton. A Ramaswamy campaign ad features Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a liar, implicitly suggesting Acton fabricated childhood sexual abuse allegations against her stepfather, who was charged with child rape in 1978 but fled before trial. The ad drew widespread condemnation, including from many Republicans, and Acton's brother corroborated her account. However, Vice President J.D. Vance told Republicans to 'stop whining' about the ad, and President Donald Trump called it 'very powerful,' urging Ramaswamy to keep it up while criticizing Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for calling it 'deeply troubling.' The article frames the reactions as a contrast between pre-MAGA and post-MAGA standards of political conduct, and asks whether voters will treat the election as a referendum on Trump-style belligerence.
Read sourceRamaswamy's Attack Ad on Amy Acton Draws Trump and Vance Defense
Reason Magazine analyzes the Ohio governor's race between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton, focusing on a Ramaswamy campaign ad that features Acton's estranged mother implying Acton lied about childhood sexual abuse by her stepfather. The article notes that the ad drew widespread condemnation, including from many Republicans, and that Acton's brother corroborated her account. However, President Donald Trump called the ad 'very powerful' and urged Ramaswamy to keep it up, while Vice President J.D. Vance told Republicans to 'stop whining' about it. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a moderate Republican, called the ad 'deeply troubling.' The piece frames the differing reactions as a contrast between pre-MAGA and post-MAGA standards of political conduct, and suggests the election results may serve as a referendum on whether voters accept Trump-style belligerence.
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Ramaswamy Ignored Aides' Warnings on Ad Featuring Opponent's Estranged Mother
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy was warned by Republicans on and off his team that an ad featuring his Democratic opponent Dr. Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, would backfire by making him appear cruel. He proceeded anyway, and the spot was leaked by local journalist D.J. Byrnes last week. The ad features Arthur accusing Acton of being a 'liar' and saying she 'needs help,' despite Acton not having spoken to her mother since age 12 and Arthur having abandoned her children to leave with a husband who was indicted for allegedly raping Acton as a child. A Trump adviser called it 'siding with the rapist protector mom.' Members of Ramaswamy's campaign team are reportedly on the verge of quitting, and the fallout has extended to other Ohio Republicans, including lieutenant governor candidate Robert McColley, who expressed reservations but is now forced to defend the ad. The spot was created by Strategy Group, which previously made headlines over a $220 million DHS ad campaign.
Read sourceRamaswamy Ignored Aides' Warnings on Vile Ad Targeting Acton's Estranged Mother
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy was warned by Republicans on and off his team that an ad featuring Democratic opponent Dr. Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, would backfire by making him appear cruel, according to Zeteo. Ramaswamy proceeded anyway, and the spot was leaked by local journalist D.J. Byrnes last week. The ad features Arthur accusing Acton of being a "liar" and saying she "needs help," despite Acton not having spoken to her mother since age 12 and Arthur having abandoned her children to leave with her husband, who was indicted for allegedly raping Acton as a child. A Trump adviser called it "siding with the rapist protector mom." Members of Ramaswamy's campaign team are reportedly on the verge of quitting, and Ohio GOP lieutenant governor candidate Robert McColley, who expressed reservations, is now forced to defend the ad publicly. The spot was created by Strategy Group, which previously made headlines for a $220 million DHS ad campaign under Kristi Noem.
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