Trump backs Ramaswamy over controversial ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother
publishers 22articles 24first reported 21 Oct, 20:00 UTCdeveloping since 22 Oct · 10 editions
President Donald Trump defended Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to air an attack ad featuring the estranged biological mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, saying he had advised Ramaswamy to leave the ad up. Vice President JD Vance also backed Ramaswamy amid criticism from prominent Republicans.
The ad shows Donna Arthur calling Acton a “liar” and urging Ohioans not to vote for her. It does not explain that Arthur and Acton have reportedly been estranged for nearly 50 years. According to The Nation, Arthur supported her husband, Acton’s stepfather, after he was arrested in 1978 on a charge of raping Acton. He later fled Ohio while free on bond, and Arthur subsequently lost custody of Acton and her brother.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling,” but did not withdraw his endorsement of Ramaswamy. Other Republicans who condemned it included Sen. Jon Husted, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Sen. Rob Portman, Chris Christie and Nikki Haley.
Vance criticized Republicans who focused on the advertisement rather than Democratic policies. Trump echoed that defense in a Truth Social post and urged Ramaswamy to keep airing it. Ramaswamy has not withdrawn the ad and, according to The Nation, is spending $4 million to expand its broadcast.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 48 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 22
- Source articles
- 24
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 48 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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