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Ramaswamy ad featuring opponent's mother draws criticism, Trump and Vance defend it
What happened
Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, released a campaign ad featuring Amy Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, who is estranged from her daughter. In the ad, Arthur calls her daughter a liar and urges voters not to elect her. The ad has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, while President Trump and Vice President Vance have defended it.
Side by side
Left outlets consistently describe the ad as "vile," "sick," "twisted," and "disgusting," with multiple pieces emphasizing Acton's history of childhood sexual abuse by her stepfather. They focus heavily on Republican critics of the ad and frame it as backfiring, with headlines stating Ramaswamy has been hit with a "brutal blow" and may have "destroyed his Ohio gubernatorial bid."
- TDBTrump Pal Ramaswamy Gives Bonkers Excuse for Vile Attack AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBTrump Loses It Over Female Reporter’s Embarrassing QuestionThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBTrump Nemesis Exposes Most Soulless Response to Vile MAGA AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBScott Jennings Blasts Vivek Over MAGA’s Vilest AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBKaitlan Collins Delivers Searing Trump Takedown on Twisted Attack AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBStunned CNN Host Blasts Trump for His Twisted Excuse for Sick MAGA AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- MSTrump stands behind Ramaswamy on disturbing TV ad featuring Amy Acton’s motherMS NOW · Left
- TDBTrump Drags His Mom Into Bonkers Defense of Vile MAGA AttackThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBMAGA Candidate Hit With Brutal Blow as Sick Ad BackfiresThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBGOP Insiders Say Ramaswamy Ad Could Hurt Ohio Governor BidThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBScott Jennings Blasts Vance for Twisted Defense of MAGA AdThe Daily Beast · Left
- MSIn Ohio’s final stretch, a controversial ad featuring Amy Acton’s mother has Republicans dividedMS NOW · Left
- MJGOP Doubles Down on Ad Exploiting Ohio Democrat’s Childhood Rape and AbuseMother Jones · Left
- TDBNikki Haley Criticizes Vivek Ramaswamy Over Ad Targeting Amy ActonThe Daily Beast · Left
- TDBCNN Republican Stars Disown Vivek and His Sick AdThe Daily Beast · Left
Center outlets describe the ad as "controversial" and focus on the political division it created, emphasizing that it "pits Trump, Vance against Ohio GOP establishment." They present the disagreement within the Republican party more neutrally, with Forbes noting Trump called it "very powerful" while Ohio's GOP governor called for its removal.
- HILRamaswamy controversy pits Trump, Vance against Ohio GOP establishmentThe Hill · Center
- FBSTrump Calls Ramaswamy’s Controversial Acton Ad ‘Very Powerful’ After Ohio GOP Gov. Calls For Its RemovalForbes · Center
- BLMRamaswamy Criticized for Ad Against Opponent in OhioBloomberg · Center
Right outlets describe the ad as "controversial" and frame the story around pushback against criticism. Blaze Media notes the ad "takes things to a whole new level" and features the mother urging voters not to elect Acton. The New York Post highlights Vance telling the GOP to "stop whining" about the ad.
- WEXTrump defends Vivek Ramaswamy ad featuring opponent’s estranged motherWashington Examiner · Lean Right
- JTNTrump defends Ramaswamy's controversial attack ad on rival Acton in Ohio gov race, 'very powerful'Just the News · Lean Right
- BLZBacklash EXPLODES over Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring opponent’s momBlaze Media · Right
- NYPVance tells GOP to ‘stop whining’ about Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial ad featuring rival’s estranged motherNew York Post · Right
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