Ramaswamy’s Controversial Acton Ad Ends Its Ohio Run
The ad featured Donna Arthur portraying her daughter as dishonest and challenging portions of Acton’s account of her childhood. Acton says she has not seen her mother for nearly 50 years, since her stepfather was accused of sexually abusing her as a child. In 1978, Arthur was stripped of custody of her children after her husband was charged with raping Acton, then 12. The ad did not address details of the case.
Ramaswamy said at a campaign stop in Vandalia that the commercial “ran to completion” and that his campaign had put up four other ads. His campaign had initially announced a $4 million television buy. AdImpact data put spending on the spot at roughly $1 million. The original 60-second version was shortened to 30 seconds.
The ad drew criticism from politicians in both parties, including Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who had endorsed Ramaswamy and urged him to take it down. Trump and Vance, the president and vice president, supported the decision to air it. Trump said he had told Ramaswamy to keep it on the air.
Acton’s campaign called the ad “despicable” and said Ramaswamy should apologize to her, her family and Ohioans. Acton has said the spot exploited her childhood and abuse. Her campaign also released an ad criticizing Ramaswamy’s use of her family history. Ramaswamy said he wanted the campaign’s final stretch to focus on policy and criticized Acton for not debating him.
Ramaswamy’s Ad Exploiting Acton’s Childhood Leaves Ohio Airwaves
A campaign commercial that turned Amy Acton’s childhood and estrangement from her mother into an attack has finished its television run in Ohio. In the ad, Donna Arthur called Acton dishonest; she has not seen her daughter for nearly 50 years. Acton says she experienced abuse as a child, and Arthur was deprived of custody of her children after her husband faced a charge of raping Acton when she was 12.
Ramaswamy said the ad “ran to completion” and that four other commercials had replaced it. His campaign initially said it would spend $4 million on the spot; AdImpact data showed roughly $1 million in spending. The original minute-long commercial was later cut to 30 seconds.
The backlash crossed party lines. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who endorsed Ramaswamy, urged him to stop airing the ad. Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the decision to run it. That defense puts the focus on the candidate’s choice to use an estranged parent’s accusation against a rival, rather than on the painful history Acton says the ad exploited.
Acton’s campaign called the commercial despicable and said Ramaswamy should apologize. Acton said he had intentionally exploited her childhood, and her campaign responded with an ad of its own criticizing his decision. Ramaswamy said he wanted the final stretch to be about policy, while criticizing Acton for not debating him.
Ramaswamy Says Acton Ad Finished Its Planned Rotation
Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign says its disputed ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother finished its planned television rotation, and has moved on to four other commercials in the final stretch of Ohio’s governor’s race. Ramaswamy said the spot “ran to completion” and said he wanted voters to hear about policy rather than continue focusing on a 30-second ad.
The commercial showed Donna Arthur branding her daughter dishonest and disputing details of Acton’s childhood account. The family history is deeply personal: Acton says she suffered abuse as a child, and Arthur was stripped of custody of her children after her husband faced a charge of raping Acton, then 12. The ad was shortened from a 60-second version to 30 seconds.
Ramaswamy’s campaign initially announced a $4 million television buy, while AdImpact data showed spending of roughly $1 million. Critics, including Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, urged Ramaswamy to pull the spot. Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended airing it, with Trump saying he had urged Ramaswamy to keep the ad running.
Acton’s campaign called the ad despicable and demanded an apology. Acton said Ramaswamy had exploited her childhood, and her campaign answered with an ad criticizing that choice. The controversy drew attention from both parties, while Ramaswamy has argued that the campaign’s closing days should focus on policy and challenged Acton over debates.
Reported by NBC News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Examiner, The Guardian US, The Daily Beast, Denver7, Newsweek, Talking Points Memo, New York Post, MSNBC, Daily Kos.
