Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, speaks at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Oct. 12, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
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President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are backing a controversial campaign advertisement from Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy despite opposition from prominent state Republicans, The Hill reported Thursday.
The ad features Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of dishonesty and suggesting she has mental health issues. Acton and her brother say they have been estranged from Arthur since childhood after she remained married to the man who sexually abused Acton.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine urged Ramaswamy to pull the ad, calling it “deeply, deeply troubling.” Republican Sen. Jon Husted said he would not have run it.
Trump called DeWine a “RINO” and encouraged Ramaswamy to keep airing the spot. Vance criticized fellow Republicans for complaining about the ad.
The Republican National Committee sided with Trump and Vance, while Acton described the advertisement as “despicable” and highlighted Republican criticism in a Thursday fundraising appeal.
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