President Trump waded deeper into Ohio's Republican gubernatorial primary on Thursday, publicly endorsing Vivek Ramaswamy's decision to air an advertisement featuring the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump urged the GOP candidate to “keep it up,” directly contradicting calls from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to pull the spot.
The ad, which has drawn sharp condemnation from many Ohio Republicans, features Acton's mother suggesting her daughter has mental health issues. Acton's brother later confirmed that he and his sister have been estranged from their mother since Acton was 12, because she remained married to a man who sexually abused the Democrat during her childhood.
Trump's post took aim at DeWine, whom he labeled a “RINO Governor” and accused of disloyalty to the party. “He strongly suggested that Vivek should, 'take down the Ad.' 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 wrote. “I suggested, on the other hand, that Vivek should keep it up.”
The president also praised Acton's mother for participating in the ad, calling her courageous and suggesting she was “saving Ohio from making a truly horrible choice.” He dismissed press criticism of the spot, framing it as an effective political weapon. “Who wouldn't use such an Ad? I would, it's called, 'hitting pay dirt,'” he added, while also attacking Acton as “Lyin' Amy Acton,” a candidate he claimed he had never heard of before.
Trump's defense comes as several Republicans have distanced themselves from the ad. Senator Jon Husted, who faces a tough reelection fight in Ohio, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he would not have aired it. DeWine had earlier urged Ramaswamy to withdraw the advertisement, a move Trump seized upon in his social media post, noting that he had once helped DeWine win election when the governor was trailing by 16 points.
The controversy has also drawn support from Vice President Vance, who told reporters on Wednesday that he was “disgusted” by Republican criticism of the ad. “I have to admit that I'm a little bit disgusted when I see Republicans across the country who are whining more about that advertisement than they are about what the congressional Democrats and other Democrats want to do to the United States of America,” Vance said.
The ad has become a flashpoint in the Ohio race, with some suggesting it could backfire. A recent analysis indicated that the attack ad may have shifted momentum toward Acton, complicating Ramaswamy's strategy. Meanwhile, Trump's intervention underscores his willingness to embrace aggressive tactics, even as DeWine and others urge restraint.
The political battle in Ohio is part of a broader GOP landscape where Trump remains a dominant force, as seen in his recent rally in Iowa to defend the Senate majority. His endorsement of Ramaswamy's approach signals that he is prepared to back candidates who employ hard-hitting messaging, even at the risk of intra-party conflict.
As the primary approaches, the ad's impact on voters remains uncertain. But Trump's explicit backing ensures that the controversy will continue to dominate headlines, and that Ramaswamy is unlikely to retreat from his strategy.
