Amy Acton urges Trump, Vance to ‘look at the facts’ as they defend Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign ad

WASHINGTON, DC: Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton on Sunday, October 25, urged President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to “look at the facts” surrounding her childhood abuse allegations after they defended a controversial campaign advertisement by Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.

The advertisement features Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of lying about her past without addressing the allegations of childhood abuse.

Acton responds as Trump, Vance defend Ramaswamy’s ad

In an interview with ABC News, Acton responded to the president and vice president’s remarks, saying, “my job is to work with anyone on any side of the aisle to solve problems instead of making them, and I would say I do hope they would look at the facts.”

Acton has said that her mother’s second husband physically violated her between the ages of 9 and 12.

Criminal charges were filed against her stepfather, and Acton testified against him. He pleaded not guilty but fled the state before the trial and never appeared before a judge. He subsequently died in 2004.

Acton has also said that she and her brother experienced “extreme child abuse and neglect” during their childhood and that she has not seen her mother since she was 12.

“We were frequent flyers in children's services ... There are facts in this case: a grand jury indictment, fugitive out against bail, and that behavior went on and on,” Acton said.

Trump has dismissed questions about the allegations, repeatedly arguing that the advertisement has “nothing to do” with Acton’s stepfather.

Vance, meanwhile, criticized Republicans who condemned the advertisement, saying he was “a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America."

Ramaswamy has also said that the advertisement concerns what he describes as Acton’s dishonesty rather than her childhood abuse allegations.

“We ran an ad about lying,” he said. “Amy Acton is lying. She has been lying this entire campaign about me, about her record, about her history in this state.”

Ohio newspaper backs Acton as DeWine, Obama criticize Ramaswamy

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio’s largest newspaper, endorsed Acton for governor on Sunday, reversing its earlier decision not to endorse a candidate in the race. Its editorial board condemned the advertisement for using Acton’s childhood experiences in a political attack.

“Vivek Ramaswamy, seeking the highest office in this state, has produced a campaign advertisement that weaponizes the abuse his opponent, Amy Acton, suffered as a child. People across the political spectrum have rightly condemned it,” the editorial board wrote.

DeWine, a Republican who has endorsed Ramaswamy, also called the advertisement “deeply, deeply troubling” and said that the campaign “needs to take it down.” Acton praised DeWine for acknowledging the history of the case, noting his background as a prosecutor.

Obama also criticized Ramaswamy during a campaign rally over the weekend, calling him “thirsty” for attention and accusing him of crossing political boundaries.

“And in recent days, we've seen there is no line he will not cross, no low he will not sink to,” Obama said.

Acton, who said she has never met Ramaswamy in person, also offered a message of support to survivors of abuse.

“For those out there going through it now, hold on, please. If there's someone you feel safe with, say something about it,” she said.