Donald Trump is continuing to defend Vivek Ramaswamy amid criticism of a controversial Ohio campaign ad. During a rally in Chillicothe on October 28, the president argued that the Republican gubernatorial candidate had been treated unfairly over an ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. Trump has defended the ad multiple times despite criticism from Republicans, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
Donald Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy amid controversial ad
“Vivek was treated very unfairly,” Trump said during the October 28 Ohio rally, according to HuffPost.
Trump was referring to the criticism Ramaswamy has faced over a campaign ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur. In the ad, Arthur calls her daughter a “liar” and urges voters not to elect her governor. She also disputes Acton’s account of her childhood. Ramaswamy’s campaign confirmed that it produced the commercial and has continued to defend its use.
“He had the mother of his opponent say that her daughter was a liar,” Trump told the crowd. He later asked, “How the hell is that his problem?”
Trump also compared the situation to how the press might respond if his own mother had publicly criticized him.
The controversy has drawn additional scrutiny because of Acton’s history with her mother. Acton has said her stepfather sexually abused her as a child. Authorities later indicted him on a rape charge. Acton has also said the abuse separated her from her mother. Moreover, she has not had a relationship with her for decades.
Trump previously backed Ramaswamy’s decision to keep the ad running. Several Republicans still called for Ramaswamy to remove it. Trump had previously said Ramaswamy should keep the ad up, while Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the commercial “deeply, deeply troubling.”
The controversy has also drawn criticism from other Republicans. Conservative commentator Scott Jennings challenged JD Vance’s response to the Republican backlash, arguing that the concerns went beyond simple partisan “whining.”
Trump has shown no sign of changing his position. During a separate exchange with reporters, he again defended Ramaswamy and clashed with an NBC journalist who questioned him about the controversy surrounding Acton and her childhood abuse.
For Trump, the dispute centers on whether Ramaswamy should face criticism for using public comments made by Acton’s estranged mother. His latest rally comments reiterated his support for the Republican candidate and the controversial advertisement.
