Election ad sparks controversy: turmoil in the US Republican Party

A political storm is brewing in the Republican Party following a controversial election ad featuring Dr. Acton's biological mother, who calls her a "liar." The background to their estrangement reveals a severe family tragedy. Ten Democratic governors have condemned the ad.

A significant political storm has erupted in the US Republican Party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, following a new and controversial election ad. At the center of the affair is a television ad featuring Donna Arthur, the biological mother of Dr. Acton. In the ad, Arthur calls her daughter a "liar" and claims she fabricated stories about her difficult childhood. The background to their complete estrangement, which has lasted since 1978, reveals a family tragedy: that year, charges were filed against Arthur's husband, Acton's stepfather, for raping Acton when she was a child. The mother lost custody of her daughter, and the stepfather fled the country and died in 2004. Acton's brother and daughter came to her defense and condemned the use of sexual trauma for political purposes. Meanwhile, the Ramaswamy campaign rejected the criticism, citing double standards. Ten Democratic governors, including Katie Hobbs and Kathy Hochul, issued a sharp statement against the ad, which they described as "an insult to survivors everywhere."