US President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced support for Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, defending a controversial attack advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. The advertisement has drawn widespread criticism because it features Acton’s mother, whose husband was charged with sexually abusing Acton when she was a child. Ramaswamy has faced mounting backlash over the campaign ad and its portrayal of the family’s troubled history.&nbsp;However, Trump defended the advertisement on his Truth Social platform, describing it as ‘very powerful’ and accusing the media of launching a ‘well coordinated attack’ to pressure Ramaswamy into withdrawing it. "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 wrote. "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."&nbsp;Trump, 80, added, “If my mother, the legendary Mary MacLeod Trump, said anything bad about me, the Fake News would play it up.” The controversy comes as political rhetoric intensifies ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, when voters will decide races for governorships, Senate seats and every seat in the House of Representatives, along with other congressional contests.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-despicable-amy-acton-hits-back-at-vivek-ramaswamy-over-ohio-campaign-ad-featuring-her-estranged-mother-1792695100839">'This is despicable': Amy Acton hits back at Vivek Ramaswamy over Ohio campaign ad featuring her estranged mother</a>&nbsp;Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech entrepreneur who challenged Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, is competing against Acton to become Ohio’s next governor. Acton is a physician by training and previously served as director of the state health department. In the campaign advertisement, Acton’s mother, Arthur, claims that her daughter has 'lied her entire life'.&nbsp;Arthur’s husband fled before he could stand trial on the sexual assault charges and has since died. Acton has said she had not seen her mother since 1978. On Tuesday, Acton released a statement saying that she and her brother endured abuse, hunger, and neglect during their childhood.&nbsp;The advertisement has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. However, US Vice President JD Vance defended Ramaswamy, describing him as his ‘good friend’ while campaigning in Ohio, his home state. Earlier this month, Vance also highlighted other attack advertisements targeting Acton that accused her of having problems with alcohol.

Donald Trump defends Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial Ohio governor campaign ad targeting Democratic rival Amy Acton amid criticism from both parties

US President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced support for Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, defending a controversial attack advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. The advertisement has drawn widespread criticism because it features Acton’s mother, whose husband was charged with sexually abusing Acton when she was a child. Ramaswamy has faced mounting backlash over the campaign ad and its portrayal of the family’s troubled history. However, Trump defended the advertisement on his Truth Social platform, describing it as ‘very powerful’ and accusing the media of launching a ‘well coordinated attack’ to pressure Ramaswamy into withdrawing it. "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 wrote. "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." Trump, 80, added, “If my mother, the legendary Mary MacLeod Trump, said anything bad about me, the Fake News would play it up.” The controversy comes as political rhetoric intensifies ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, when voters will decide races for governorships, Senate seats and every seat in the House of Representatives, along with other congressional contests.

Trump backs Vivek Ramaswamy over a controversial Ohio campaign ad featuring rival Amy Acton's estranged mother, drawing criticism from both parties

'Vivek should keep it up': Trump defends Ramaswamy's controversial campaign ad targeting Amy Acton

Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, has condemned an attack ad featuring her estranged mother, calling it ‘despicable’. Acton responded to the campaign advertisement released by her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, on Wednesday evening, saying, "This is despicable, what he's done". In the ad, Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, claims that Acton 'lied her entire life;. However, the advertisement does not mention that Arthur's husband was charged with raping Acton when she was a child or that Acton and her brother were subsequently removed from Arthur's custody.&nbsp;Released on Monday, the advertisement has triggered political backlash and drawn national attention to the Ohio governor's race. Acton and Ramaswamy are competing to succeed outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who has endorsed Ramaswamy, in the 3 November midterm election. DeWine has reportedly described the advertisement as deeply troubling and called for it to be withdrawn, raising questions about whether the controversy could damage Ramaswamy's electoral prospects. "I've never attacked his family. I would never do that," Acton said about Ramaswamy at a campaign stop on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;"You can see that there are so many people who have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives," she added, referring to the reaction to the advertisement. According to information provided to the BBC by Acton's campaign, she last saw her mother in a courtroom in 1978, following the indictment of her stepfather. Arthur's husband left town before he could stand trial. He was never prosecuted and died in 2004.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-democrats-sue-trump-administration-over-alleged-threats-and-intimidation-ahead-of-election-musk-issues-warning-to-dems-1792617494480">US midterms: Democrats sue Trump administration over alleged 'threats and intimidation' ahead of election, Musk issues warning to Dems</a>&nbsp;In an advertisement released earlier this week, Acton's brother recalled the abuse they experienced as children and criticised Ramaswamy for turning sexual assault into a political talking point. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was reviewing complaints about Ramaswamy's advertisement. The complaints concern whether the ad may initially have aired without a legally required disclaimer identifying who paid for it. Ramaswamy took responsibility for the advertisement the day after it was released on social media. He also announced that his campaign would spend $4m (£3m) to broadcast it across Ohio.&nbsp;The editorial board of The Columbus Dispatch, a local Ohio news outlet, endorsed Acton following the advertisement's release, describing it as ‘revolting and unsettling’. On Thursday, former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci expressed concern about the potential political fallout in a post on X. "The floor may have just fallen out from under the Republican campaign for Ohio Governor. "And any Republican who fails to distance themselves from this ad risks taking on water as well."&nbsp;MK Pritzker, the wife of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, announced on Wednesday that she would donate $500,000 to support Acton's election campaign. President Donald Trump also commented on the controversy, saying: "It's a very unusual situation to have a mother hate a daughter that much. “But I don't think that has anything to do with Vivek.” Meanwhile, Vice-President JD Vance urged fellow Republicans to stop ‘whining’ about the advertisement. He also said he was 'a little bit disgusted by criticism of the ad from members of his own party.&nbsp;A VoteHub poll released on Thursday showed Acton leading Ramaswamy by 1%, a margin within the poll's margin of error. The survey was conducted before the advertisement was released. If elected, Acton would become the first Democrat to win the Ohio governorship in two decades.

Amy Acton condemns Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial attack ad featuring her estranged mother as political backlash grows in the Ohio governor race

Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, has condemned an attack ad featuring her estranged mother, calling it ‘despicable’. Acton responded to the campaign advertisement released by her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, on Wednesday evening, saying, "This is despicable, what he's done". In the ad, Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, claims that Acton 'lied her entire life;. However, the advertisement does not mention that Arthur's husband was charged with raping Acton when she was a child or that Acton and her brother were subsequently removed from Arthur's custody. Released on Monday, the advertisement has triggered political backlash and drawn national attention to the Ohio governor's race. Acton and Ramaswamy are competing to succeed outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who has endorsed Ramaswamy, in the 3 November midterm election. DeWine has reportedly described the advertisement as deeply troubling and called for it to be withdrawn, raising questions about whether the controversy could damage Ramaswamy's electoral prospects. "I've never attacked his family. I would never do that," Acton said about Ramaswamy at a campaign stop on Wednesday evening. "You can see that there are so many people who have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives," she added, referring to the reaction to the advertisement. According to information provided to the BBC by Acton's campaign, she last saw her mother in a courtroom in 1978, following the indictment of her stepfather. Arthur's husband left town before he could stand trial. He was never prosecuted and died in 2004. Also Read: US midterms: Democrats sue Trump administration over alleged 'threats and intimidation' ahead of election, Musk issues warning to Dems In an advertisement released earlier this week, Acton's brother recalled the abuse they experienced as children and criticised Ramaswamy for turning sexual assault into a political talking point. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was reviewing complaints about Ramaswamy's advertisement. The complaints concern whether the ad may initially have aired without a legally required disclaimer identifying who paid for it. Ramaswamy took responsibility for the advertisement the day after it was released on social media. He also announced that his campaign would spend $4m (£3m) to broadcast it across Ohio. The editorial board of The Columbus Dispatch, a local Ohio news outlet, endorsed Acton following the advertisement's release, describing it as ‘revolting and unsettling’. On Thursday, former Republican Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci expressed concern about the potential political fallout in a post on X. "The floor may have just fallen out from under the Republican campaign for Ohio Governor. "And any Republican who fails to distance themselves from this ad risks taking on water as well." MK Pritzker, the wife of Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, announced on Wednesday that she would donate $500,000 to support Acton's election campaign. President Donald Trump also commented on the controversy, saying: "It's a very unusual situation to have a mother hate a daughter that much. “But I don't think that has anything to do with Vivek.” Meanwhile, Vice-President JD Vance urged fellow Republicans to stop ‘whining’ about the advertisement. He also said he was 'a little bit disgusted by criticism of the ad from members of his own party. A VoteHub poll released on Thursday showed Acton leading Ramaswamy by 1%, a margin within the poll's margin of error. The survey was conducted before the advertisement was released. If elected, Acton would become the first Democrat to win the Ohio governorship in two decades.

Amy Acton calls Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad featuring her estranged mother ‘despicable’ as controversy intensifies in Ohio’s governor race

'This is despicable': Amy Acton hits back at Vivek Ramaswamy over Ohio campaign ad featuring her estranged mother

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'Vivek should keep it up': Trump defends Ramaswamy's controversial campaign ad targeting Amy Acton

'This is despicable': Acton hits back at Ramaswamy over controversial attack ad