President Donald Trump has defended a controversial campaign ad targeting Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, urging Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to keep it on the air despite criticism from members of both parties.

In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump called the advertisement “very powerful” and accused the news media of trying to pressure Ramaswamy to withdraw it because it was so effective.

Truth Social
Credit: Truth Social

“The Press is trying to convince everyone that this Ad is bad, because it's so good!” Trump wrote. “Who wouldn't use such an Ad? I would, it's called, 'hitting pay dirt.'”

The commercial features Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of dishonesty. “It's not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy has a serious problem,” Arthur says in the advertisement. “She is a liar.”

The spot has sparked controversy because Acton has been estranged from her mother since childhood. According to The Wall Street Journal, Acton’s late stepfather was charged with sexually abusing her, and her mother remained with him before moving out of state.

Acton’s brother condemned the advertisement, calling it a “despicable low” in light of his sister’s childhood experiences.

Trump dismissed calls to pull the commercial, arguing that Democrats and the media would react differently if a Republican candidate were targeted in a similar manner.

The president also criticized Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who called for the advertisement to be removed. Trump labeled DeWine a “RINO” and accused him of being unwilling to support a successor who could outperform him in office.

Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted also distanced himself from the commercial, saying, “I would not have run that ad.”

Vice President JD Vance, however, defended Ramaswamy and criticized Republicans who had objected to the advertisement, arguing that political campaigns are inherently tough contests.

Trump reiterated his support Thursday night at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, recounting that Ramaswamy had called him for advice about whether to remove the spot.

“So I told him, leave it up and look upstairs and say: 'thank you, God, very much,'” Trump told the crowd.

Ramaswamy’s campaign is spending $4 million to promote the advertisement, which began airing on television Thursday.

The dispute comes as Ramaswamy and Acton compete to succeed DeWine, who is term-limited. A recent Fox News poll showed Acton leading Ramaswamy 50% to 48% among likely voters.

Despite the close polling, Trump predicted victory for his endorsed candidate, praising Ramaswamy as “a brilliant and outstanding person” and promising that he would cut taxes, fight crime, and “MAKE OHIO GREAT AGAIN.”