Trump Presses Ramaswamy To Keep Running Controversial Ad Featuring Acton’s Estranged Mother

President Donald Trump on Thursday encouraged Vivek Ramaswamy to continue running a widely controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent in the Ohio governor’s race, Amy Acton.

The president's support of the ad comes as Democrats and Republicans, including GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, called on Ramaswamy to take it down.

“I suggested, on the other hand, that Vivek should keep it up, and let everyone listen to the mother of a defective, dishonest, and incapable Candidate, explain how the daughter is a DISASTER who, uncontrollably, lies, cheats, and steals!” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “I only wish the mothers of my opponents would be so brave as to come forward and explain that their son or daughter is a liar, and much worse.”

He slammed DeWine for urging Ramaswamy to take down the ad, calling the GOP governor “disloyal to the Republican Party.”

“He probably wants a Dumocrat to win, and certainly doesn’t want someone who will do a much better job than he is capable of doing,” Trump said.

DeWine’s office declined to comment.

Trump commented on the ad a day after Vice President JD Vance said he was “disgusted” at Republicans across the country for “whining” about the attack ad, which sparked backlash among Ohio Republicans as well as several national Republican figures, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who ran against Ramaswamy in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

The ad started circulating on social media earlier this week and features Acton’s mother calling her daughter a “liar” and urging voters to back Ramaswamy. Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, condemned the ad and said it weaponized her sister’s childhood abuse and sexual assault for political gain.

Acton has previously said that she was estranged from her mother since she was child. Acton’s stepfather was charged with raping her when she was 12, and her mother chose to stay with him. Her stepfather pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court documents provided by Acton’s campaign, and he fled the state.

Ramaswamy’s campaign has defended the video and said it would spend $4 million to promote it.

“Who wouldn’t use such an Ad?” Trump said. “I would.”