WASHINGTON, United States — US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Republican governorship candidate Vivek Ramaswamy following widespread criticism of a political advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, intensifying tensions ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump defended the advertisement on Thursday, October 22, praising Ramaswamy's campaign strategy and accusing the media of attempting to undermine the Republican candidate's chances in Ohio's closely contested governorship race.

The controversial advertisement features Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, who accuses her daughter of dishonesty and questions her suitability for public office.

However, the advertisement has attracted criticism because of Acton's history of childhood abuse involving her stepfather, who was charged with raping her when she was a child but died without standing trial.

Acton, now 60, has previously spoken publicly about experiencing sexual abuse, neglect and homelessness during her childhood.

According to court records cited in American media reports, her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, was indicted on rape charges in 1978 but left Ohio before facing trial.

Acton and her younger brother were subsequently removed from their mother's custody. The Democratic candidate has maintained that she has had no contact with her mother since 1978.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the family dispute, Trump encouraged Ramaswamy to continue promoting the advertisement.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president described Acton as dishonest and criticised Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican who had publicly condemned the campaign material.

Trump maintained that voters should be allowed to hear the allegations made by Acton's mother, while accusing critics of applying different standards to Republican and Democratic campaign advertisements.

Speaking to reporters later on Thursday, Trump defended his position, describing Acton as “fair game” and saying he was unaware of the allegations involving her childhood abuse.

“I know nothing about it,” Trump said when questioned about the circumstances surrounding the advertisement.

The president's intervention followed mounting criticism from politicians across party lines, including several prominent Republicans who questioned the decision to involve Acton's estranged mother in the election campaign.

Governor DeWine, who has endorsed Ramaswamy to succeed him, described the advertisement as deeply troubling and called for its withdrawal.

DeWine, who previously served as Ohio's attorney general, expressed concern about the use of a candidate's childhood experiences in political attacks.

Despite condemning the advertisement, the governor maintained his endorsement of Ramaswamy.

The controversy has also exposed divisions within the Republican Party, with some officials supporting Ramaswamy's campaign tactics while others argue that the advertisement crosses acceptable boundaries of political competition.

US Vice President JD Vance, who campaigned alongside Ramaswamy in Ohio on Wednesday, defended the Republican candidate and dismissed criticism of the advertisement as politically motivated.

Ramaswamy, a biotechnology entrepreneur and former Republican presidential aspirant, has acknowledged that his campaign produced the advertisement.

His campaign also announced plans to spend approximately $4 million promoting the video through television and digital platforms.

The Republican candidate's spokesperson, Connie Luck, defended the campaign's decision, arguing that voters deserved to examine allegations about Acton's credibility before choosing their next governor.

Acton's campaign has strongly rejected the accusations, accusing Ramaswamy of exploiting a painful chapter of her childhood for political advantage.

The Democratic candidate's brother, Philip Stearns, also condemned the advertisement, confirming that both siblings experienced abuse and neglect during their childhood.

In a video released by Acton's campaign, Stearns criticised Ramaswamy for bringing his sister's childhood experiences into the governorship contest.

Acton, a medical doctor who previously served as Ohio's Director of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, has maintained that her experiences growing up in difficult circumstances helped shape her commitment to public service.

The dispute comes as political campaigns intensify across the United States ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress and several governorships.

Ohio's governorship contest has attracted particular attention because of the political profiles of both candidates and the increasingly personal nature of their campaign exchanges.

Ramaswamy previously sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before becoming a prominent supporter of Trump.

Acton, meanwhile, gained national recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving in the administration of Republican Governor DeWine.

The controversy has brought renewed attention to the use of personal histories, family relationships and allegations concerning private lives in American political advertising.

While Ramaswamy's campaign maintains that questions about Acton's credibility are relevant to the election, critics argue that the advertisement unfairly exploits her childhood experiences.

With the election less than two weeks away, the dispute has become a prominent issue in Ohio's political debate, drawing reactions from leading Republicans, Democrats and campaign observers across the country.

The advertisement remains part of Ramaswamy's campaign strategy, despite calls for its withdrawal.

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