Trump backs Ramaswamy attack ad as Republican Ohio governor condemns it

US President Donald Trump praised an attack ad by Republican Vivek Ramaswamy against Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton, even as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned it. The ad features Acton's estranged mother disputing Acton's account of childhood homelessness and sexual abuse. Acton leads Ramaswamy in polls ahead of the November 3 midterms.

US President Donald Trump praised an attack ad by Republican Vivek Ramaswamy against his Democratic rival in the close Ohio governor's race on Thursday, even as the state's Republican governor advised Ramaswamy to take it down. In the ad, Democratic candidate Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, disputes Acton's account of a childhood involving homelessness and sexual abuse and urges Ohioans not to vote for her. In a Truth Social post, Trump advised Ramaswamy to keep running the ad. Acton says she has not seen her mother since 1978. Acton's brother has supported her account of being sexually abused by her stepfather when she was a child. The stepfather, who died in 2004, was charged with rape. Opinion polls show Acton narrowly leading Ramaswamy, and analysts say the controversy could backfire on Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterms. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine told reporters the ad is "just wrong" and said he would urge the Ramaswamy campaign to take it down. Ramaswamy's campaign spokesperson said they do not know what happened between Acton and her mother but called Acton a "serial fabulist." Acton's brother called the ad a "desperate, disgusting attack." Vice President JD Vance brushed aside the blowback. Ramaswamy's campaign said it was spending $4 million to promote the ad. A political science professor characterized the ad as "campaign malpractice."