Vice President JD Vance defended an ad by Vivek Ramaswamy featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother, calling criticism "whining." The ad, costing $4 million, shows Dr. Acton's mother accusing her daughter of lying about a troubled childhood. It has drawn outrage because the mother's husband, Acton's stepfather, was charged with raping her at age 12. Child sexual abuse has surfaced in multiple 2026 midterm races.
In the ad, Donna Arthur accuses Acton of fabricating details about being homeless and abused. Documents show a grand jury indicted the stepfather in 1978; he fled and died in 2004. Dr. Acton's campaign responded with an ad featuring her brother alleging years of physical and sexual abuse. President Trump initially claimed not to know the ad, then cited its contents, and absolved Ramaswamy of responsibility.
Vance lauded the spot at a rally, urging Ohio Republicans to judge Acton's fitness. Illinois governor's wife MK Pritzker announced $500,000 for Acton, calling the ad exploitative. The Columbus Dispatch editorial board endorsed Acton, calling the ad "revolting and unsettling." Multiple Ohio Republican figures have criticized or distanced themselves from the spot.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing