Trump defends Ramaswamy ad after DeWine calls it wrong

Donald Trump defended Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to keep airing a controversial gubernatorial ad after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called the spot “wrong” and urged the campaign to take it down. The ad features Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who calls her daughter a liar and argues she should not lead the state.

DeWine, who supports Ramaswamy in the race against Acton, told reporters in Columbus that family members have historically been off-limits in such campaigns. He noted that Acton had previously mentioned Ramaswamy’s mother in a less prominent ad earlier in the year.

Trump accused DeWine of being “disloyal to the Republican party” on Truth Social, writing that Ramaswamy should let voters hear from Acton’s mother. Vice President JD Vance also dismissed the criticism, stating that Republicans are whining more about the ad than about congressional Democrats.

Ramaswamy’s campaign said it would spend $4 million to air the ad across Ohio. Acton’s brother, Philip Stearns, called the ad a “despicable low,” while Republican Senator Jon Husted and Secretary of State Frank LaRose also expressed reservations about the spot.

Read the full story at theguardian.com.