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Ramaswamy Ad Featuring Acton's Estranged Mother Sparks Backlash in Ohio Race
What happened
Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an ad featuring his opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling Acton a "liar." Acton's family responded by revealing that Acton has been estranged from her mother since childhood, with her brother stating their stepfather sexually abused Acton. Ramaswamy confirmed his campaign produced the ad and announced a $4 million investment to air it, while President Trump defended it as "very powerful."
Side by side
Left outlets lead with the ad "backfiring" on Republicans and emphasize Acton's abuse allegations, with HuffPost calling the mother a "pedophile-protecting" figure and Time reporting Republicans saying "we now deserve to lose." Coverage frequently describes the ad as "twisted," "disgusting," or "vile."
- HPScott Jennings Says Disgusting Ohio Ad Will 'Blow Up' In Republicans' FacesHuffPost · Left
- TDBDem’s Odds Spike to All-Time High After MAGA Candidate’s Disaster AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBMAGA Candidate Called Out to His Face Over Twisted Attack AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBDem Star Unleashes Devastating Ad After MAGA’s Vilest AttackThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBAd Targeting Amy Acton Draws Backlash After Brother Reveals Abuse HistoryThe Daily Beast · Left
- HPOhio Governor’s Race Reaches New Low As Republicans Roll Out Amy Acton’s Pedophile-Protecting MotherHuffPost · Left
- NBCRamaswamy says ad featuring Acton’s mother had nothing to do with allegations of sexual abuseNBC News · Lean Left
- CBSGOP officials divided over Ramaswamy ad with Acton's momCBS News · Lean Left
- TM'We Now Deserve to Lose': Ramaswamy Ad Deepens GOP Panic in OhioTime · Lean Left
- ABCAmy Acton campaign slams Ramaswamy over controversial ad featuring estranged motherABC News · Lean Left
- CBSOhio race takes ugly turn with ad featuring Amy Acton's motherCBS News · Lean Left
- CBSNew attack ad targeting Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton features her estranged motherCBS News · Lean Left
- NYTAttack Ad Featuring Candidate’s Mother Turns Ohio Governor’s Race Even UglierThe New York Times · Lean Left
- APDemocrat in Ohio governor's race pushes back against unattributed ad featuring her estranged motherAssociated Press · Lean Left · link via Google News
Center outlets focus on the controversy and bipartisan backlash, reporting the ad is "deeply personal" and has "turned ugly." They note figures like Meghan McCain calling it "dastardly" and emphasize the growing political fallout, with some reporting Acton's polling "odds" have improved.
- HILRamaswamy's last-ditch attack shows signs of backfiringThe Hill · Center
- BLMTrump Defends Ramaswamy Ad as Backlash Endangers Ohio GOPBloomberg · Center
- BBC'This is despicable': Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her estranged motherBBC News · Center
- HILActon responds to Ramaswamy's ad: 'It's despicable'The Hill · Center
- BBCOhio governor's race turns ugly as attack ad features candidate's estranged motherBBC News · Center
- HILAmy Acton's estranged mother drags her in crazy attack adThe Hill · Center
- NWVivek Ramaswamy Confronted Over Amy Acton Mother Ad As Backlash GrowsNewsweek · Center
- FBSRamaswamy’s Campaign Admits Making Controversial Ad Featuring Amy Acton’s Mother—Will Spend $4 Million Airing ItForbes · Center
- HILRamaswamy takes responsibility for attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged motherThe Hill · Center
- HILOhio governor’s race takes ugly turn with viral video featuring Acton’s motherThe Hill · Center
- HILActon responds to ad, says personal attacks 'a lifelong pattern' for RamaswamyThe Hill · Center
- HILMcCain decries 'dastardly' political ad with Acton's motherThe Hill · Center
- FBSOhio Governor Race Gets Deeply Personal: New Anti-Amy Acton Ad Features Woman Claiming She’s Acton’s MotherForbes · Center
- HILActon's estranged mother calls her a 'liar'; Democrat calls Ramaswamy 'despicable'The Hill · Center
- NWAmy Acton’s Mother Calls Her a ‘Liar’ in Brutal Ad As Ohio Race TightensNewsweek · Center
Right outlets present the ad more neutrally as "brutal" or "shocking" while noting it has "backfired." Fox News emphasizes a strategist's view that the ad "distracts from what's really at stake," suggesting Acton's "COVID-19 record matters more." Some right outlets focus on the mother's specific claims about Acton's background.
- JTNTrump defends Ramaswamy over attack ad featuring Acton's motherJust the News · Lean Right
- WEXAd featuring Acton’s mother is ‘really weird’ and unlikely to play role in Ohio governor’s race: Byron YorkWashington Examiner · Lean Right
- WEXRamaswamy pours $4 million into ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged motherWashington Examiner · Lean Right
- WEXOhio ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother backfires on Ramaswamy campaignWashington Examiner · Lean Right
- WTMother of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate calls her 'liar' in scathing videoThe Washington Times · Lean Right
- FOX‘Can’t trust Amy Acton’: Viral ad distracts from what’s really at stake in critical race, GOP strategist saysFox News Digital · Right
- DCAttack Ad Featuring Ohio Democrat’s ‘Abusive’ Mom Backfires On Vivek RamaswamyThe Daily Caller · Right
- NYPDemocrat’s mom urges Ohio to vote against ‘liar’ daughter in brutal ad — but Amy Acton’s family says truth is even more jarringNew York Post · Right
- BRTNolte: Amy Acton’s Mother Films Ad Against ‘Liar’ Amy Acton — Acton RespondsBreitbart News · Right
- BLZDemocrat's mother calls her a 'liar,' tells Ohioans not to vote for her in damning videoBlaze Media · Right
- DWShocking Ad Featuring Ohio Dem’s Estranged Mom Throws Governor’s Race Into ChaosThe Daily Wire · Right
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