Former President Donald Trump has defended a controversial attack ad against Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton, calling it "so good" and criticizing Republicans who have pushed for its removal. Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday, stating, "The Press is trying to convince everyone that this Ad is bad, because it’s so good!" He added, "Who wouldn’t use such an Ad? I would, it’s called, ‘hitting pay dirt.’"
The ad in question features Acton's mother calling her "a liar" and stating she "has a serious problem." Acton, a former director of Ohio's Health Department, has previously disclosed to voters that she was a victim of rape by her stepfather as a child and that her mother, Donna Arthur, stayed married to him and eventually fled the state with him to avoid legal consequences.
Trump suggested that Arthur, who is reportedly estranged from Acton and her brother, demonstrated courage by appearing in the ad to discredit her daughter. "I only wish the mothers of my opponents would be so brave as to come forward and explain that their son or daughter is a liar, and much worse," Trump wrote. He asserted that Arthur's actions were an attempt to "sav[e] Ohio from making a truly horrible choice."
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Wednesday that his office is investigating multiple complaints concerning the ad. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy has refused to apologize for funding the advertisement and has committed an additional $4 million to its promotion.
Several Republican figures, including Ohio Sen. John Husted and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, have publicly denounced the ad. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also suggested on Thursday that Ramaswamy's ad was in poor taste and should be withdrawn.
Trump criticized DeWine's stance, calling him "disloyal to the Republican Party" and suggesting the governor "probably wants a Dumocrat to win." In contrast, Trump advised Ramaswamy to "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!"