Trump fiercely defends Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial attack ad against Amy Acton

As of October 30, 2026, Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for governor in Ohio, has stopped airing a controversial campaign advertisement that featured the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The ad, which aired starting October 20, included comments from Donna Arthur, Acton's mother, who accused her daughter of lying and urged voters not to support her. This decision came after significant backlash from both Republicans and Democrats, including criticism from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

The advertisement was part of a broader strategy by Ramaswamy’s campaign to highlight dark aspects of Acton's past, particularly focusing on allegations of abuse during her childhood. However, the ad backfired when it became clear that it had sparked widespread outrage and potentially harmed Ramaswamy's standing in polls. According to recent polling data, Acton saw a slight increase in support following the removal of the ad.

The campaign initially spent $4 million promoting this controversial spot but ultimately pulled it after facing bipartisan condemnation for its content. The decision was made public when Ramaswamy addressed reporters on October 30, stating that the advertisement had "rotated off like any ad would" and that his team had moved on to other campaign messages.