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Donald Trump has publicly defended a controversial advertisement from Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio gubernatorial campaign that features comments or testimony from Amy Acton’s estranged mother about the Democratic candidate. Reports say Trump urged Ramaswamy to keep running it despite bipartisan criticism.

The advertisement has turned a personal dispute involving Acton’s family into a campaign issue in the Ohio governor’s race. The available reports describe the spot as an attack advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother, but they do not establish the full allegations made in the ad.

The Hill reported that Trump defended the advertisement at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa. According to the publication, he questioned why anyone would shield people from Acton’s mother’s comments and reiterated his support for Ramaswamy’s use of the ad.

The controversy has drawn criticism described by the reports as bipartisan. Clarín reported that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and other Republicans criticized the advertisement, while also reporting that Acton defended her account in response.

Trump’s intervention places his public backing behind Ramaswamy’s decision to use highly personal material against his rival. The sources establish Trump’s support and recommendation that the advertisement continue, but do not establish whether it remained on air after his remarks or specify the full scope of the criticism.

SOURCES

  1. ClarínTrump respalda a Ramaswamy por anuncio republicano que usó a madre de candidata demócrata
  2. CNBCTrump defends Ramaswamy ad with Acton's estranged mom after bipartisan criticism
  3. PBS NewsHourWATCH: Trump defends Ramaswamy's attack ad against Acton amid bipartisan criticism
  4. The HillTrump on controversial Acton ad: ‘Why would you shield somebody from that?’
  5. India TodayTrump backs Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial ad targeting Amy Acton