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Politics · October 23, 2026

Trump Praises Amy Acton's 'Smart' Mother for Vivek Ramaswamy Attack Ad

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Donald Trump has reiterated his support for a campaign advertisement released by Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, which features Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton. In the ad, Arthur calls her daughter a liar and urges voters to reject her. Trump defended the strategy and praised Arthur's intelligence, despite bipartisan backlash centered on the Acton family's history of childhood trauma and abuse. Ramaswamy has countered the criticism by claiming the media is lying about the ad’s intent, asserting it focuses on Acton's political credibility and record rather than her childhood experiences.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • Donald Trump defended Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur.
  • In the advertisement, Donna Arthur calls her daughter a 'liar' and urges Ohioans not to vote for her.
  • Amy Acton and her mother have been estranged for decades following a history of childhood abuse.
  • The advertisement has received bipartisan criticism from Ohio politicians.
  • Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton are opposing candidates for Ohio governor.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Donna Arthur was convicted of animal neglect in 2021 after leaving kittens in a hot car in Pennsylvania.
  • Amy Acton's brother released a statement saying Arthur lost custody because her husband was charged with sexually abusing Acton.
  • Ramaswamy claimed Acton's daughter has made multiple 911 calls regarding different spouses.
  • Trump claimed Democrats would use his own mother against him if she were alive and critical of him.
  • Ramaswamy alleged Acton previously claimed he was a 'murderer' and that her record includes claiming a 50% COVID death rate.

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