# Trump Attacks Ohio Governor Over Ramaswamy Ad Controversy

> Former President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 22, 2026, publicly criticized Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for opposing a Vivek Ramaswamy campaign ad, which attacks Democratic opponent Amy Acton's childhood trauma.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-22T19:35:56.438329Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/trump-attacks-ohio-governor-over-ramaswamy-ad-controversy-88639507

Former President Donald Trump intervened in Ohio's gubernatorial race on Thursday, October 22, 2026, publicly attacking incumbent Governor Mike DeWine for criticizing an advertisement from Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy [2]. Ramaswamy's campaign announced a $4 million investment to broadcast the controversial ad, which features the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton [6]. This intervention has escalated intra-party conflict within the Republican Party, exposing deep divisions and ethical concerns surrounding political campaign tactics in a significant swing state [2][5][10][11].

This dispute highlights the intensifying internal rifts within the Republican Party and raises questions about the boundaries of political advertising, particularly when it targets deeply personal aspects of a candidate's past. The conflict involves high-profile figures and reflects pressure within the party as the election approaches.

## What the records show

Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign released an advertisement featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton [1][3][8]. In the ad, Arthur calls her daughter "a liar" and insinuates mental health issues, disputing Acton's claims of growing up in an abusive environment and experiencing homelessness [8][10][11]. The Ramaswamy campaign has taken responsibility for the ad and committed a $4 million investment to broadcast it across digital and television platforms [6][8].

Amy Acton, who previously served as Ohio's health director under Governor DeWine, has publicly discussed her childhood trauma [7]. She has been estranged from her mother since the age of 12, following alleged sexual abuse by her stepfather, Cledith Arthur [6][7][10]. Police and court records indicate that Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged with raping Acton in July 1978 when she was 12 years old [8][10]. He pleaded not guilty but became a fugitive after failing to appear in court and has since died [6][10]. Acton's campaign confirmed that she was removed from her mother's custody at that age due to severe abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse [7].

## The timeline

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine publicly denounced Ramaswamy's advertisement [2][10]. During a gathering with reporters at the Statehouse in Columbus, DeWine called the ad "deeply, deeply troubling" [10][11][12]. He stated, "It's wrong to run this ad. I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down" [10][11]. Following DeWine's comments, former President Donald Trump swiftly rebuked the Ohio Governor, urging Ramaswamy to keep the ad running [2].

## What changed and for whom

DeWine's remarks placed him at odds with Ramaswamy, whom he had previously endorsed as his successor [10][11]. DeWine, who is term-limited, indicated he would not rescind his endorsement of Ramaswamy despite his strong disapproval of the ad [12]. The ad and the ensuing political fallout have exposed significant rifts within the Republican Party [4][5][11]. Vice President JD Vance defended Ramaswamy's ad, expressing his disgust at fellow Republicans who were criticizing it [10][12]. Other Republican figures, including Ramaswamy's gubernatorial primary rival Casey Putsch and commentator Meghan McCain, also condemned the ad [7].

## What the subject has said publicly

Governor DeWine stated the ad was "deeply, deeply troubling" and that "It's wrong to run this ad. I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down" [10][11][12]. Amy Acton described the ad as "despicable" [1]. Her brother, Philip Stearns, publicly condemned Ramaswamy for attempting to exploit his sister's childhood sexual abuse for political gain [6][8]. Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson Connie Luck defended the ad, stating Acton's mother was speaking out about a "clear pattern of lying, not abuse" [12].

## What we could not confirm

It could not be confirmed whether Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign will follow Governor DeWine's urging to remove the controversial advertisement. The specific impact of this intra-party conflict on voter sentiment or the ultimate outcome of the Ohio gubernatorial race also remains unconfirmed.

## Evidence cited
1. 'This is despicable': Amy Acton responds to Ohio attack ad featuring her estranged mother (www.bbc.co.uk) — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6z981l59wnwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
2. Trump attacks Ohio governor over call for Ramaswamy to drop ‘deeply troubling’ ad (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/22/ramaswamy-attack-ad-ohio-dewine
3. Democratic and GOP strategists on the deeply personal attack ad in Ohio (www.pbs.org) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/democratic-and-gop-strategists-on-the-deeply-personal-attack-ad-in-ohio
4. 'We Now Deserve to Lose': Ramaswamy Ad Deepens GOP Panic in Ohio (time.com) — https://time.com/article/2026/10/21/ramaswamy-s-ad-of-acton-s-estranged-mom-jolts-ohio-races-across-the-ballot/
5. Vivek Ramaswamy’s Appalling Campaign Ad (www.theatlantic.com) — https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/10/vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-amy-acton-child-abuse/689108/?utm_source=feed
6. Amy Acton's childhood abuse (hindustantimes.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQH4tDpWo_fFwtPkXzu5IkkPt_fGMbs2BisXqQOwm38HY4F6ePhtlTbyY6_1LGukqgO4RtI1kleZVk78LPALhmCdg93SYnoQCr6_GwOLt8mZMsf4W6rxnlpRomLMy-Gif1nrLp3nxTqPvpp4UKbNYyEY45R00VctFfkwdke94aKACrDzl6IefmL1SaQVmaUdJDf_Pfed5eASwqw_Hyw-2pvEkf4cmP98DEBFdFaT4E1WG2rr214irO94y7letvWA6CJ_A9KHoYNeSohAmBLKmJxZExOxivu9XVJOHAU3vtvuIZJg9_sN7nD_QpFWnXQB_Q==
7. Acton has previously spoken about her troubled childhood—the Youngstown Vindicator reported in 2019, shortly after she was appointed as state health director by former GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, that her stepfather sexually abused her as a child and that she and her brother moved “18 or so” times before the age of 12, including living in a tent in a campground one winter, while under their mother's care.
... (October 21 2026) what has acton said about the controversial attack ad? In an interview with (forbes.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHofvLIX_HInN5aSfdIvuZkbbr261jez7Gz1cvtXXZxNMcAiH48uLmvQfRq2khunSoW2Y9ZW7pVgp9eT1opfjjdpWFzxNTTypdCzEslZM-IPWs1p9_cGT5EYzkqQU7Qdw8yBnO7Q0xAJK39OcwL7PTgBxo3wYRpefoI1eTR0KQvJW_mtPsxxkSzOswmcQFuUmoDe1FsAJlUn1XHfWo4yzpVxHuoTlRLLdtI8rhodHgwwKyUkfh8Ozy557gI5i9yOSQkHYhUoGCI3MtOrgDjofG-v8mXqyVqGXg01g==
8. COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — A controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of the Democratic candidate for governor, Amy Acton, is making its rounds on social media. It claims Acton is lying when she talks about her childhood, when she was sexually abused and homeless, sometimes living in a tent. Though the ad was leaked without information showing who paid for it, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign confirmed to the Statehouse News Bureau that it's their ad, and they've launc (woub.org) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQG2BWcMamAPLJi3dwfYoMUolTjhjNOieI-F1sWhi5-32CfRi2Kk4GrAfKiQU4H_0jqhhqr1SnHgxFq55J0veNrnKpIdCmls19Oe3w595GQ0iN8wtyQ-DK7moXa8S5aK89nLuqa8R8ssH49dEnQ91aunxG05BErunntDfSn_c5PxzZuDrdjaOYo=
9. A controversial campaign ad in Ohio's race for governor is drawing criticism after Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign used Democratic opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother. (wtmj.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEeTueN0GGdnRsyMHTxRt7xct4vqEiodqmS5MH2P2KqeMhn0meO2VYGQ-3Qoquqgu39BobP-rPqxvG89mGPe86uwVs4nlHSiFIQvY8pXeNmN0cTeuyJCGJszsn7olDxt6laSeF1YYTu0i7qV5s0fN90Bt5p0O4DnT3YrJfNaDGzH48B92_XL2k=
10. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. At a gathering with reporters at the Statehouse in Columbus, DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling.” “It's wrong to run this ad,” he said. “I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down.” Thanks to our sponsors: Vie (wttw.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGjISPipC8OiR971EMqpSoCH-8kgN_RgSicw9BLSifg-lUhhbWhNswWC7dZGE1jUnYfWy0Ld-kiDCYE5WQzxXIxARv41ouqhw2AbFBQUCgEWwP9gvG8semaFG9afJ4kS9WZcq8f3Cnjus3Au2QYZTKOdtNTmabupkc8TFQTloLC87GDuKZgkph833CZ4-iHUZ7YzSxQ4dDQsyp1xVU3ZypxgeaxgRJz1IlAlOnnoBp27Q==
11. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine denounced Ramaswamy ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother (latimes.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQG2xkRagTLEUF7-hiFe8RSFhc1PD7Nwerug7tzCdrXKqyoxeuGIjg5H9DtbUli_GPBVZzw-XvCVII6kylcQoKqETVtEg_wWbR8yr_ombT5geRgTDr89Nb0dcsvEyVWru2_bZZG2r_H9bDoD6P_YK29bAzsjdSGMjazBBcBvQx11MOIysmHONENBlp7mOre-z_e6K3XkgxfFXFY3cI1mBal5tJPYt-ocVM0AbsYzXw3G_Vs_LFS4kJPJYEf0mjOfLeLrmLHIjWEEon8lvNC4sQcj5g==
12. Ohio's GOP Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday that Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee to replace him, should take down an ad that features Democratic opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother calling her a liar. DeWine's comments come one day after Vice President JD Vance told Republicans to "stop whining" about the ad. "It's wrong to run this ad," DeWine told reporters. "I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down." DeWine, who is term-limited, called the ad "on its face, deeply, deeply tr (cbsnews.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGZIHTHZSBBPhIEnoQJ16Bt1BFOsWQ-3nb0xhM48JPtlkIr4E1uUlWMrfhISuDFQFzX4PVJFBuLM-PXwJT0hhWo11MAM97vZSLOlisVk0WEAr6eWD3y4eYhhwe_m7ddE7j8P_Evt9SKPY_32pGIRB26sE_r3Y0jWWRC-9DRHECmLVcm6NBubdq_9_wng==
13. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. October 22, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. EDTJust now. President Donald Trump listens as gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at a campaign rally at the Covelli Centre, in Youngstown, Ohio, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin). By Julie Ca (washingtonpost.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEgwrBIUCV7HYxwtNCMcy_NrHRLxQSOLmT5tLDTZPBMelenNDZyKOH745X7VgZgg84p1800Dlq6ZP9MmthieEzIxTtizTTwF6YjhSELJ1RdAalOA3OTJoFZxX_4rAiSM9QH77QnyViW4XDogxAczUROTJIoeambaV-jh-bgDDSzWQ6YG2i-aGAqEnNz-hkk23SbhChFi-DGHfNxLHbez24DbDeOq4BJL6sLC9PnIu8haQInfq94nR-O0DiXZfCjI6NG314SOuG2XSI2uEuTtH9k
14. Mike DeWine, the outgoing Republican governor of Ohio, has called on Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign to take down the recent ad that includes the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. DeWine called the campaign spot “deeply, deeply troubling” and said it was “wrong” to have run it. The governor told reporters today that he would not rescind his endorsement of Ramaswamy in the bitter gubernatorial race against Acton – who served as the health director in DeWine's administration and g (theguardian.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHX7-cDLw2xBXN7P1QQIlH6IQUGsEAG06k-JuymUX5MKXnsW3azaIf1xkeqHI87lC3kcixwnTyVqje41mRUDCf0gLbMnfsyZQqMamYHSOg2Ix8qeeXEJZGubdw5kYa9aU4kTqTVFj9f8l_RtAonDr3Lbbg2Dm-XYtm9y1pYQz8_JeId6QWCgkERYZ6y6nDcM78O5byST-bdkUij_rGoMPuY-raJGE6xOiSIWG0S5f9HYo_M3rdyGM4Z
15. ... , Amy Acton, who is running for Governor of Ohio, is a liar, and much worse. The Press, in a concerted and well coordinated attack, is trying to get Vivek Ramaswamy to 'take down the Ad,'” Trump fumed on Truth Social. In the ad, Acton's mother calls her a liar and attacks her character. But as the details around Acton's relationship with her mother emerged, critics and pundits quickly accused Ramaswamy of trying to weaponize the childhood sexual abuse Acton suffered at the hands of her mothe (mediaite.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGqA0M600fRwinj97JrME5w7u71l8Frf1H1v7JCkS0huOrqnAK8KmYe4u4iE11UVdCn_rVnxvxRtqu9pSDT3i7a5zi9t1uTse82uZQUNbIH7In-YenKooe4JegNTM3NlPmchdeGrzRZiqUmyvniOwUrPirEY_wAcsZmQnTE1XpgqOBX5cqI27QJmWB_Jjc0S71Njjs4w_BFhvdPxUBkgOVd-g==
16. Acton has previously spoken about her troubled childhood—the Youngstown Vindicator reported in 2019, shortly after she was appointed as state health director by former GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, that her stepfather sexually abused her as a child and that she and her brother moved “18 or so” times before the age of 12, including living in a tent in a campground one winter, while under their mother's care.
... (October 21 2026) what has acton said about the controversial attack ad? In an interview with (forbes.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHofvLIX_HInN5aSfdIvuZkbbr261jez7Gz1cvtXXZxNMcAiH48uLmvQfRq2khunSoW2Y9ZW7pVgp9eT1opfjjdpWFzxNTTypfCzEslZM-IPWs1p9_cGT5EYzkqQU7Qdw8yBnO7Q0xAJK39OcwL7PTgBxo3wYRpefoI1eTR0KQvJW_mtPsxxkSzOswmcQFuUmoDe1FsAJUn1XHfWo4yzpVxHuoTlRLLdtI8rhodHgwwKyUkfh8Ozy557gI5i9yOSQkHYhUoGCI3MtOrgDjofG-v8mXqyVqGXg01g==
17. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. At a gathering with reporters at the Statehouse in Columbus, DeWine called the ad “deeply, deeply troubling.” “It's wrong to run this ad,” he said. “I would urge Ramaswamy's campaign to take this down.” Thanks to our sponsors: Vie (wttw.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGjISPipC8OiR971EMqpSoCH-8kgN_RgSicw9BLSifg-lUhhbWhNswWC7dZGE1jUnYfWy0Ld-kiDCYE5WQzxXIjARv41ouqhw2AbFBQUCgEWwP9gvG8semaFG9afJ4kS9WZcqvF3Cnjus3Au2QYZTKOdtNTmabupkc8TFQTloLC87GDuKZgkph833CZ4-iHUZ7YzSxQ4dDQsyp1xVU3ZypxgeaxgRJz1IlAlOnnoBp27Q==