Trump urges Vivek Ramaswamy to keep controversial Amy Acton ad up, calls it ‘hitting pay dirt’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 22, defended a controversial campaign advertisement by Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton.

Trump urged Ramaswamy to keep the advertisement on the air.

Trump also attacked Ohio Governor Mike DeWine after the Republican called for the advertisement to be taken down, describing the governor as “disloyal” to the party.

The dispute has divided Republicans over an advertisement that draws on Acton’s family history, including allegations of abuse involving her late stepfather.

Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial Amy Acton ad

Trump defended the advertisement in a Truth Social post, describing it as “very powerful” and accusing the press of coordinating efforts to persuade Ramaswamy to withdraw it.

The advertisement features Donna Arthur, Acton’s estranged mother, calling her daughter a liar and questioning her credibility.

“The Press, in a concerted and well coordinated attack, is trying to get Vivek Ramaswamy to 'take down the Ad.' Frankly, anybody whose mother spoke about a daughter in that way would normally lead to the daughter being precluded from serving in Office, let alone the Office of Governor,” Trump wrote.

The president also criticized DeWine for urging Ramaswamy to remove the advertisement. Trump described the Ohio governor as a “RINO,” an acronym for “Republican in name only,” and accused him of being disloyal to the Republican Party.

“I suggested, on the other hand, that Vivek should keep it up...” Trump wrote, adding, “Who wouldn't use such an Ad? I would, it's called, 'hitting pay dirt.'”

Trump reiterated his position at a rally in Iowa later in the day, saying he had advised Ramaswamy that “you gotta ride with it.”

He later added, “leave it up, and look upstairs and say, 'Thank you God, very much.'

Mike DeWine condemns Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign ad as troubling

Hours before Trump's criticism, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine urged Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy to take down the advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. DeWine called the advertisement “on its face, deeply, deeply troubling.”

DeWine said the family's history made the advertisement even more objectionable and maintained that it should not be used in the campaign.

“It's wrong to run this ad,” DeWine told reporters. “I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down.”

DeWine, who is term-limited, declined to say whether he had spoken directly with Ramaswamy’s campaign about the advertisement.

The governor also clarified that his criticism did not amount to withdrawing his endorsement of the Republican nominee.

The governor’s comments came after the advertisement drew scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Acton’s estrangement from her mother, Donna Arthur.

According to court documents provided by Acton’s campaign, Arthur’s husband was charged in 1978 with physically violating Acton when she was between 10 and 12 years old.

Acton has also previously spoken about being violated by her now-deceased stepfather. She has not been in contact with her mother since a court date following his arrest.

Other Republicans have joined DeWine in expressing reservations about the advertisement.

Ohio Senator Jon Husted said he “would not have run that ad,” while former Representative Jim Renacci warned that Republicans who failed to distance themselves from it risked political damage.

Representative Nancy Mace called it the “most shameful, disgusting, offensive ad this election season."