Trump recommended Ramaswamy keep powerful Acton ad featuring estranged mother on air

Trump backs Ramaswamy’s ad

Trump praised Ramaswamy’s ad on Truth Social on Thursday and said he had advised the candidate to keep it running. The spot, which began circulating on social media Monday and later appeared on television, features Donna Arthur, Acton’s estranged mother.

Arthur calls Acton a liar and seeks to challenge her credibility. Trump said the press was trying to persuade people the ad was bad because it was effective, and criticized DeWine for urging its removal.

Family history at the center

Court documents provided by Acton’s campaign say Arthur’s now-deceased husband was charged with raping Acton, who said the abuse took place when she was between 10 and 12 years old. He pleaded not guilty and left the area while out on bond; the case never went to trial.

Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, said their birth mother remained married to the man until his death. He condemned Ramaswamy’s campaign for making the abuse a political issue. Acton’s campaign also denounced the ad.

DeWine urges ad removal

DeWine said Thursday that Ramaswamy’s campaign should take the ad down, calling it wrong. He did not rescind his endorsement of Ramaswamy. Trump attacked DeWine in his post, accusing the Ohio governor of disloyalty to the Republican Party. He also said he had helped DeWine win election years earlier, referring to a rally he held when DeWine was trailing by 16 points.

Republicans divided over spot

Vance defended the ad and told Republicans who criticized it to stop complaining. Other Republicans voiced reservations: Ohio Sen. John Husted said he would not have run it, while South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace called it the election season’s most shameful and offensive ad.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he probably would not run an ad like it, but added that candidates make their own decisions. Trump told reporters he knew nothing about the family history when asked about it on the White House South Lawn, then continued defending the ad.