Donald TrumpMike DeWineAshley HinsonVivek RamaswamyJon HustedAmy ActonRepublican PartyABC News

Trump defends Ramaswamy's Ohio ad, urges GOP to own it; attacks DeWine as 'disloyal' as Hinson calls for takedown

Former President Donald Trump defended Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial Ohio ad, urging Republicans to embrace it while attacking Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as 'disloyal.' Meanwhile, Rep. Ashley Hinson called for the ad's removal, citing concerns for the emotional impact on Ramaswamy's opponent, Amy Acton.

CNN23 October 2026 · 08:31 UTC
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Former President Donald Trump defended Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial ad, urging the GOP to embrace it despite backlash. Trump labeled Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as 'disloyal' for criticizing the ad, while Rep. Ashley Hinson called for its removal, citing emotional concerns for Ramaswamy's opponent, Amy Acton.56

During a rally, Trump recounted advising Ramaswamy to keep the ad up, praising the courage of Acton's mother for speaking out. He stated, "Look upstairs and say thank you, God, very much. I appreciate it," reflecting his support for the ad's message. Trump acknowledged he knew "nothing about" the backstory but insisted the mother should be taken seriously, arguing, "Even if it’s a little bit true, you don’t want her as governor."

Despite Trump's backing, Ramaswamy trails by about five points in recent polls, indicating potential risks for the GOP. Hinson's criticism highlights the discomfort within the party regarding the ad, as she emphasized it was painful for Acton to relive her trauma. Trump's push for party unity comes less than two weeks before Election Day, raising concerns about the ad's impact on key candidates.

Trump is essentially asking his party to own something that it’s clearly very uncomfortable owning, just to help one candidate who might or might not benefit from it.

Key Insight
“Ramaswamy trails by about five points in recent polling, and Trump's push comes less than two weeks before Election Day. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa called the ad 'unfair' for forcing Acton to relive trauma, joining Ohio Republicans like Sen. Jon Husted in criticism.”
Trump Tells Ramaswamy Not to Take Down Controversial Ad in Ohio Gov. Race
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Trump Tells Ramaswamy Not to Take Down Controversial Ad in Ohio Gov. Race
Trump defends controversial attack ad in Ohio governor's race
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Trump defends controversial attack ad in Ohio governor's race
Trump defends Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's mom
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Trump defends Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's mom
Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother
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Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother
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“Trump’s latest move is trying to bully Republicans into embracing a that seeks to weaponize a situation involving alleged child sexual abuse.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
The GuardianThe Guardian
Trump attacks Ohio Gov. DeWine on Truth Social as 'disloyal to the Republican party' for calling Ramaswamy's ad targeting Acton 'deeply troubling'; urges him to keep it up

Ohio's Republican governor Mike DeWine called the ad by gubernatorial candidate Ramaswamy critical of Amy Acton “deeply, deeply troubling” and “wrong,” urging the campaign to take it down.

Ad ControversyAssociated PressDisloyal Republican
2026-10-22
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Donald Trump rebuked DeWine on Truth Social, calling him “disloyal to the Republican party” and urging Ramaswamy to keep the ad up.
  • DeWine called Ramaswamy's ad targeting Amy Acton 'deeply troubling' and urged him to drop it.
  • Ramaswamy's campaign spokesperson Connie Luck defended the ad, citing double standards and noting that Democrats have used family members of President Trump and RFK Jr. in ads.
  • Vice President JD Vance dismissed criticism, saying “Politics is a tough business” and that he was disgusted by Republicans whining more about the ad than about Democratic policies.
  • Several other Republicans, including Jon Husted, Frank LaRose, and Sherrod Brown, condemned the ad, while DeWine declined to drop his endorsement of Ramaswamy.
CNN
JD Vance embraces Machiavellian politics, defending Ramaswamy ad that calls Amy Acton a liar and telling Republicans to stop whining and win

Vance defended a controversial Ohio gubernatorial ad featuring the estranged mother of Democrat Amy Acton, saying he was indifferent to its propriety and calling Acton a liar.

AbcAmy ActonCnn
2026-10-22
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Vance defended a controversial Ohio gubernatorial ad featuring the estranged mother of Democrat Amy Acton, saying he was indifferent to its propriety.
  • Vance further defended the ad by calling Amy Acton a liar.
  • Vance urged fellow Republicans to stop whining about the ad and focus on winning the race.
  • Vance justified spreading false claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, by arguing the ends justified the means.
  • Vance similarly defended Trump's false claims about a Venezuelan gang in Aurora, Colorado, suggesting they drew attention to smaller truths.
  • Vance refused to condemn political violence from the right, citing worse behavior by Democrats, and contrasted his current zero-sum view with his 2017 stance.
Amy Acton calls Vivek Ramaswamy's attack ad featuring her estranged mother 'despicable'; backlash grows as Ohio Republicans condemn it
BBCBBC
Amy Acton calls Vivek Ramaswamy's attack ad featuring her estranged mother 'despicable'; backlash grows as Ohio Republicans condemn it

Amy Acton called an attack ad from her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy despicable and said, This is despicable, what he's done.

Acton ResponseAd BacklashAmerican University
2026-10-22
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, appears in Ramaswamy's ad saying Acton "lied her entire life".
  • Ramaswamy claimed responsibility for the ad, stating his campaign would spend $4m to air it.
  • Acton called the ad 'despicable', asserting she has never attacked Ramaswamy's family.
  • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine described the ad as "deeply troubling" and urged it to be taken down.
  • The Columbus Dispatch editorial board endorsed Acton, calling the ad "revolting and unsettling".
  • National figures reacted to the ad, with Trump commenting on the unusual mother-daughter situation.
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Trump backs Ramaswamy ad targeting Amy Acton, calling it 'hitting pay dirt'; Vance tells Republicans to 'stop whining' as Acton's brother slams 'despicable low'
CBS News🇺🇸22 October 2026 · 21:45 UTC
Trump backs Ramaswamy ad targeting Amy Acton, calling it 'hitting pay dirt'; Vance tells Republicans to 'stop whining' as Acton's brother slams 'despicable low'

Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, alleged the ad politicizes the sexual abuse she suffered at age 12 from her stepfather, who was charged but never tried. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he 'probably wouldn't run an ad like that,' while court documents show the accused left on bond.

Trump backs Ramaswamy ad featuring rival Amy Acton's estranged mother; calls Ohio Gov. DeWine 'disloyal' for urging takedown
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Trump backs Ramaswamy ad featuring rival Amy Acton's estranged mother; calls Ohio Gov. DeWine 'disloyal' for urging takedown

Ramaswamy's campaign is spending $4 million to promote the ad, which features Donna Arthur disputing Acton's account of childhood abuse. Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, called it a 'desperate, disgusting attack,' while polls show Acton narrowly leading in the race.

Ohio governor race turns bitter as Ramaswamy ad features Acton's estranged mother calling her a liar; Acton's team cites alleged childhood rape by stepfather
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Ohio governor race turns bitter as Ramaswamy ad features Acton's estranged mother calling her a liar; Acton's team cites alleged childhood rape by stepfather

The ad's release follows a pattern of negative campaigning, but the personal attack is unprecedented. Acton's stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was charged with rape in 1978 but never stood trial after fleeing to Pennsylvania, a fact Acton's team highlights to counter the ad.

Backlash grows over Ramaswamy's ad attacking Acton's abuse claims; Republican officials distance themselves as prediction markets boost Acton's odds above 70%
WOUB Public Media -🇺🇸22 October 2026 · 23:34 UTC
Backlash grows over Ramaswamy's ad attacking Acton's abuse claims; Republican officials distance themselves as prediction markets boost Acton's odds above 70%

More than 764,000 Ohioans have already voted early, with most voters' minds made up, which limits the ad's impact. However, Red Wine & Blue founder Katie Paris said the ad 'drives support toward Acton' and that Ramaswamy 'is going to lose' because of it.

Two 15-year-old girls arrested in Southern California after FBI tip on alleged school shooting plot; both remain in custody on conspiracy charges
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Police say the teens spent several months researching shootings and discussing ways to obtain weapons, but none were found. Lt. Robert Montanez revealed a list of names targeting the campus, and the Riverside County DA is reviewing the case.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls Ramaswamy ad targeting Amy Acton's estranged mother 'deeply, deeply troubling' as bipartisan backlash grows
10TV🇺🇸22 October 2026 · 14:57 UTC
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls Ramaswamy ad targeting Amy Acton's estranged mother 'deeply, deeply troubling' as bipartisan backlash grows

Ramaswamy, who took responsibility for the 60-second video, is spending $4 million to broadcast it, drawing rebukes from Nikki Haley and Meghan McCain. Vance defended him, citing 'dirty tricks' and calling him a 'murderer'.

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The independent review panel appointed by MSF highlighted the need for professionals to better recognize and respond to concerns involving infants and young children. KKH's medical board chairman Eileen Lew said the case was closed with no outstanding concerns, despite the hospital having facilitated parenting and child development support.

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Ohio GOP Gov. Mike DeWine calls Ramaswamy ad featuring Acton's estranged mother 'deeply, deeply troubling'; urges campaign to take it down
10TV🇺🇸22 October 2026 · 16:09 UTC
Ohio GOP Gov. Mike DeWine calls Ramaswamy ad featuring Acton's estranged mother 'deeply, deeply troubling'; urges campaign to take it down

DeWine's rebuke comes despite his endorsement of Ramaswamy, whom he says he won't abandon. Meanwhile, VP Vance defended the 60-second ad, calling bipartisan pushback 'disgusting' and praising Ramaswamy's resilience against Democratic attacks.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother; Acton's campaign calls it exploitation of her abuse
WLWT🇺🇸22 October 2026 · 20:20 UTC
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother; Acton's campaign calls it exploitation of her abuse

Acton's campaign detailed childhood abuse and neglect, saying she and her brother were kept in a dark basement and lived in fear of her mother. Sen. Vance said the ad's appropriateness isn't his concern, while former President Trump questioned its relevance to Ramaswamy.

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