Vivek Ramaswamy pulls controversial attack ad after Trump defends it as 'fair game'

Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has taken down a television spot targeting his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton, after it drew criticism from both parties. Speaking at a campaign stop in Vandalia on Thursday, Ramaswamy said the planned run had ended. His campaign had pledged $4 million for the placement, but AdImpact tracking data indicates only about $1 million was spent, according to The Independent.

The spot featured Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a liar. The two have not spoken in 48 years. Arthur lost custody in 1978 after her husband was indicted for raping Acton when she was 12, and Arthur stayed with him until he died in 2004. Current and former Ohio governors, graduates of Ramaswamy's high school and others urged him to withdraw it. Acton's campaign called it despicable and said he should apologize. She told MS NOW that her mother had been exploited.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance backed the ad. At a rally in Chillicothe, Trump said Ramaswamy had been treated unfairly, and he attacked Gov. Mike DeWine on Truth Social for criticizing it. Trump said he had urged Ramaswamy to keep it running.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →