Trump Slams Ohio Governor, Praises Ramaswamy Ad

President Trump said Thursday that Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee for Ohio governor, should keep running a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, posting on Truth Social that it was "hitting pay dirt." Trump also denounced Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who criticized the ad as "deeply, deeply troubling" earlier in the day, the AP reports. Acton previously served in DeWine's administration as a health official. Her mother lost custody of Acton and her brother in 1978 after her husband—the children's stepfather—was indicted for raping Acton.

• "He strongly suggested that Vivek should, 'take down the Ad,'" Trump wrote of DeWine. "He probably wants a Dumocrat to win, and certainly doesn't want someone who will do a much better job than he is capable of doing. I suggested, on the other hand, that Vivek should keep it up, and let everyone listen to the mother of a defective, dishonest, and incapable Candidate, explain how the daughter is a DISASTER who, uncontrollably, lies, cheats, and steals!" Trump, who appeared at a campaign rally with Ramaswamy last week, said he had "never even heard of" Acton before.
• Trump praised the "courage" of Acton's mother, Donna Arthur, and said he wished the mothers of more of his opponents would come forward. "Frankly, anybody whose mother spoke about a daughter in that way would normally lead to the daughter being precluded from serving in Office, let alone the Office of Governor," Trump wrote. "If my mother, the legendary Mary MacLeod Trump, said anything bad about me, the Fake News would play it up."

• Police and court records show Cledith Arthur was arrested and charged with the rape of Acton in July 1978, when she was 12, after her biological father lodged a formal complaint against him. The abuse allegedly happened from December 1976 to April 1978. Cledith Arthur failed to show for a court appearance and became a fugitive. Donna Arthur remained married to him until his death in 2004.
• Trump also defended the ad to reporters Wednesday, saying he didn't know about the abuse allegations but "the mother is a witness to things also," CNN reports. He added: "Look, if what the mother said about the daughter is half right, she has no right even running for the governor of Ohio."
• During an Ohio campaign swing Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance said Republicans criticizing the ad should "stop whining." But Republican US Sen. Jon Husted, DeWine's former lieutenant governor—running in a tight race against Democrat Sherrod Brown—has said he would not have run the ad, as has Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for state auditor.