Trump Backs Ramaswamy Ad as DeWine Calls It Deeply Troubling 2026

In the Ohio governor race, Donald Trump has attacked Governor Mike DeWine for calling on Vivek Ramaswamy to drop an ad that features Amy Acton's estranged mother, escalating a bitter feud within the Republican Party. The ad, which DeWine labeled "deeply, deeply troubling," shows Donna Arthur calling her daughter "a liar" and saying she should not be put in charge of the state.

DeWine, a Republican, told reporters at the Ohio state capital that it was "wrong to run this ad" and urged the Ramaswamy campaign to take it down. "Family members have always historically been off limits," DeWine said, according to the Associated Press. His comments drew a swift rebuke from Trump, who urged Ramaswamy to keep the ad up.

The Ad and Its Content

The video began circulating on social media earlier this week, and Ramaswamy's campaign later confirmed to Ohio media outlets that it was their work. The campaign said it would spend $4 million to air the ad across the state. The ad features Arthur, Acton's mother, criticizing her daughter and questioning her fitness for office.

Acton has said she has not seen her mother for decades after she married a man who sexually abused Acton when she was 12 years old and stayed with him even after police stepped in. This personal history has become a central point of contention in the race.

DeWine's Rebuke and Trump's Response

DeWine's call for the ad to be taken down was unusual for a sitting governor commenting on a primary contest, but it reflects growing concerns about the tone of the campaign. DeWine noted that "family members have always historically been off limits" and pointed out that Acton had earlier this year mentioned Ramaswamy's mother's involvement in an alleged "pump and dump" scheme, though with less provocative effect.

Trump's response was quick and decisive. He urged Ramaswamy to keep the ad up, signaling his support for the candidate and his tactics. This puts Trump at odds with DeWine, a fellow Republican who has sometimes criticized Trump's approach.

Why This Matters for the Ohio Governor Race

The clash highlights the increasing willingness of candidates to use personal attacks and family members in political ads, a trend that has alarmed some party elders. It also underscores the divide within the Republican Party between establishment figures like DeWine and Trump-aligned candidates like Ramaswamy.

Acton, the Democratic rival, has led Ramaswamy in recent polls. The ad is seen as an attempt by Ramaswamy to close the gap by raising questions about Acton's character and family history. However, the strategy carries risks, as it could alienate moderate voters who view such tactics as unfair.

• Key takeaway 1: DeWine called the ad "deeply troubling" and urged Ramaswamy to take it down, citing the historical norm that family members are off limits.
• Key takeaway 2: Trump rebuked DeWine and urged Ramaswamy to keep the ad up, showing his support for aggressive campaign tactics.
• Key takeaway 3: The ad features Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, criticizing her daughter.
• Key takeaway 4: Acton has led Ramaswamy in recent polls, and the ad is part of a $4 million statewide buy.
• Key takeaway 5: The dispute highlights divisions within the Republican Party and the increasing use of personal attacks in political advertising.

Comparison of Positions

What to Watch Next

As the ad continues to air, the controversy is likely to intensify. Ramaswamy has not indicated whether he will heed DeWine's call, and Trump's support suggests the ad will remain. The race will test whether personal attacks resonate with Ohio voters or backfire.

This is not the first time family members have been drawn into political fights. The incident echoes other races where personal histories have become fodder for attack ads. For example, in the Florida governor race, Trump-backed Byron Donalds faces a similar challenge from Democrat Charlie Crist, where personal attacks have played a role. You can read about that matchup in our coverage of the Florida governor race.

Meanwhile, Trump's involvement in the Ohio race is part of a broader pattern of him weighing in on contested primaries. He recently endorsed Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor, a move that surprised many. Our article on Trump endorsing Mike Lindell explores the implications.

The ad controversy also comes amid other high-profile incidents in Ohio politics. For instance, Ohio Governor Candidate Amy Acton was recently attacked at a campaign rally, raising concerns about safety and civility. Details of that event are available in our report on the attack on Amy Acton.

Additionally, the race has been influenced by national issues such as immigration and data centers. The backlash against data centers, for example, threatens to cost Republicans a Senate seat in Ohio. Our analysis of the datacenter backlash explains how local concerns are shaping statewide races. The background to this story is set out in Vivek Ramaswamy Attack Ad on Amy Acton Draws Family Outrage. A related thread runs through Vivek Ramaswamy Struggles to Connect with Voters in Ohio Race.

As the campaign unfolds, the use of family members in ads may become a defining issue. For now, the focus is on whether Ramaswamy will heed DeWine's call or continue with Trump's backing. The coming weeks will reveal how voters respond to this increasingly personal battle. Earlier coverage in Vivek Ramaswamy's Ohio Campaign Struggles: Can Indian Voters shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Supreme Court Backs Trump Mail-In Voting Crackdown.