Trump defends Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother as backlash grows in Ohio
Photo: Fox NewsPresident Donald Trump on Friday defended an Ohio campaign ad from Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that features Democratic rival Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who accuses her daughter of lying and urges voters not to elect her. Trump told reporters it was a mother speaking badly of her child and said that if his own mother had done so, the media would make it the top story. Pressed by a reporter on whether Acton's sexual abuse allegations mattered, he asked who the reporter worked for, told the reporter to be quiet and called the reporter a horrible little reporter.
Acton, a former director of the Ohio Department of Health, has spoken about childhood homelessness and sexual abuse. Her brother, Philip Stearns, said in a statement released by her campaign that their mother lost custody after her husband, Cledith Arthur, was arrested and charged with abusing Acton. The ad drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, though Ramaswamy has defended it and is spending millions to run it over the next couple of weeks. The election is in November, and Trump carried Ohio by double digits in 2024.
Right-leaning Fox News does not lead with Trump's exchange; it features Ohio attorney and strategist Mehek Cooke, who says the focus should shift from the ad to Acton's record and that voters cannot trust her. It notes the bipartisan outrage and Acton's account of the custody removal, but frames the ad as a distraction. Left-leaning outlets center on the abuse history and Trump's tone. The New Republic highlights his clash with the reporter and links it to his past dismissals of sexual abuse allegations, while MS NOW runs an opinion piece by a abuse-survivor clinician arguing the ad risks reinforcing survivors' guilt. Both sides acknowledge Trump's defense and the backlash; they differ on whether the story is Acton's record or the ad's treatment of abuse. Newsweek adds that Republicans are debating whether the ad went too far.
How the sides differ Left sources stress Trump's clash with a reporter and the abuse history; right sources focus on Acton's record and a strategist's view; alternative sources note GOP debate.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
- The New RepublicTrump Snaps at Reporter Asking If It’s OK to Ignore Sexual Abuse
MS NOW runs a survivor-advocate's opinion criticizing the ad, while The New Republic leads with Trump snapping at a reporter and ties it to his past dismissals of abuse allegations.
Newsweek reports Trump praising the mother's decision, includes Acton's brother's statement about the abuse charges, and says Republicans are debating whether the ad went too far.
Fox News features GOP-aligned strategist Mehek Cooke, who says Acton's record, not the ad, should be the focus, and notes Trump's strong defense and the bipartisan outrage.