Trump backs Ramaswamy attack ad as Republican Ohio governor condemns it

Former US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed a controversial political attack ad produced by Vivek Ramaswamy targeting Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. In the advertisement, Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, disputes her daughter's accounts of childhood homelessness and sexual abuse, urging voters to reject her candidacy.

Responding to the controversy, Trump posted on social media to encourage Ramaswamy to continue running the ad. While he did not directly address the allegations of abuse mentioned by Arthur, Trump used the post to launch his own criticism against Acton, describing her as a "defective, dishonest, and incapable Candidate" and a "DISASTER."

The advertisement has drawn sharp criticism from within the political sphere, notably being condemned by the Republican governor of Ohio. The clash highlights intensifying political tensions and the deployment of personal attacks in the race for the Ohio governorship.