President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 22, 2026, encouraged Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy to continue airing a campaign advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. Writing on social media, Trump described the video as "powerful" and criticized Republican Gov. Mike DeWine for suggesting it be removed. The endorsement comes as the Ohio governor's race and a U.S. Senate race in the state appear closer than expected.
The advertisement features Acton’s birth mother, Donna Arthur, calling her daughter a "liar" and questioning her mental health. Acton, a former state health official, has previously stated she was homeless and abused as a child. Her campaign reported that her biological father filed a rape complaint against her stepfather, Cledith Arthur, in 1978 when Acton was 12. Court records show Cledith Arthur was arrested but became a fugitive after failing to appear in court. Donna Arthur remained married to him until his death in 2004.
The ad has divided Ohio Republicans. Governor DeWine, who has endorsed Ramaswamy, called the video "deeply, deeply troubling" and urged the campaign to take it down, citing his past experience as a prosecutor with rape victims. Conversely, Vice President JD Vance defended the ad on Wednesday, October 21, stating he was "disgusted" by fellow Republicans "whining" about the tactic. Other state officials, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, indicated they would not have run the advertisement.
The use of an estranged family member in a multimillion-dollar campaign sets a precedent for how personal trauma and family history are litigated in high-profile state races. While Governor DeWine noted that the Acton campaign previously critiqued Ramaswamy’s mother regarding a pharmaceutical trial, he distinguished that from a formal, high-cost advertising blitz. The rift between Trump and DeWine highlights a broader internal disagreement within the state party, which could affect the coordination of party resources in the final days of the race.
What happens next: The advertisement is currently active on social media and scheduled for television broadcast. The Ohio Republican Party Chairman, Alex Triantafilou, stated the party is "keeping score" of which members support the nominee during this period. Voters will cast their ballots in the general election, though the source does not provide the specific Tuesday in November for the 2026 vote. There are currently no reported court dates or deadlines for the ad's removal.