POLITICS

Trump doubles down on Ramaswamy ad defense as GOP backlash intensifies

18 sources · 52 articles

President Trump has repeatedly defended Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial campaign ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother, despite bipartisan criticism. The ad has prompted condemnation from GOP officials including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Iowa Sen. Ashley Hinson, while Acton's campaign fundraising has surged. Ramaswamy has claimed the ad does not reference Acton's childhood sexual abuse allegations.

NEWTrump has intensified his defense of the ad through multiple public statements and told reporters he advised Ramaswamy to continue running it. GOP officials are reportedly 'chafing' at Trump's pressure to rally around Ramaswamy, signaling potential fractures within the party over the strategy.

Left44

Left-leaning outlets characterize Trump's defense as indefensible and note the ad's reliance on Acton's estranged mother and abuse allegations. They frame GOP internal criticism as evidence of the strategy backfiring and endangering the Republican ticket in a winnable race.

NNNBC News2hTrump doubles down on defending Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad against Amy Acton TDThe Daily Beast2hTrump Defends Ohio Attack Ad in Exchange With NBC Reporter RSRaw Story3h‘We’ll see what he means by that’: Ramaswamy’s cryptic claim about his mom confounds CNN PNPBS NewsHour3hVivek Ramaswamy defends ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother TDThe Daily Beast3hTrump Pal Ramaswamy Gives Bonkers Excuse for Vile Attack Ad PWPolitical Wire4hTrump Shrugs Off the Rape Charges Central to Ohio Ad CNCBS News4hTrump doubles down on support for Ramaswamy ad BLBloomberg4hTrump Intensifies Support for Ramaswamy Ad Despite GOP Blowback TNThe New Republic7hTrump’s Vile Defense of “That Ad” Bodes Very Ill for the Last 12 Days RSRaw Story8hGOP lawmakers chafing at Trump's latest attempt to 'bully' them: report PWPolitical Wire9hGOP Senate Candidate Condemns Ramaswamy Ad RSRaw Story10hThis red state race could spell big trouble for MAGA's post-Trump future: column TDThe Daily Beast11hTrump Nemesis Exposes Most Soulless Response to Vile MAGA Ad TDThe Daily Beast12hScott Jennings Blasts Vivek Over MAGA’s Vilest Ad TNThe New Republic12hDimwit Trump Praise of Vile Ramaswamy Ad Backfires as GOP Panic Erupts TDThe Daily Beast19hTrump Brags What He Told Vivek Over Vile MAGA Attack Ad ANABC News21hIowa GOP candidate's criticism of Ramaswamy ad puts her at odds with Trump PNPBS NewsHour23hWATCH: Trump defends Ramaswamy's attack ad against Acton amid bipartisan criticism BLBloomberg26hTrump Defends Ramaswamy Ad as Backlash Endangers Ohio GOP Ticket CNCBS News27hGOP officials divided over Ramaswamy ad with Acton's mom NNNBC News28hOhio governor calls on Vivek Ramaswamy to take down ad featuring opponent’s estranged mother TDThe Daily Beast29hRepublican Slams His Wannabe MAGA Replacement Over Vile Ad TGThe Guardian US32hVivek Ramaswamy campaign ad for Ohio ‘shameful, disgusting’, says Republican congresswoman – US politics live TNThe New Republic35hVivek Ramaswamy’s Vile Attack Ad Is Trumpism in a Nutshell TNThe New Republic35hWhat JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy Don’t Get About Trump’s Success TDThe Daily Beast39hDem Victim of MAGA’s Vilest Attack Ad Speaks Out CNCBS News44hAttack ad in Ohio governor's race sparks debate on how low is too low PNPBS NewsHour46hDemocratic and GOP strategists on the deeply personal attack ad in Ohio TITime48h'We Now Deserve to Lose': Ramaswamy Ad Deepens GOP Panic in Ohio PNPBS NewsHour50hRamaswamy campaign says it produced ad with Amy Acton's mother and will spend millions to promote it RSRaw Story51hVivek Ramaswamy's team saw his ugly attack ad as a 'stroke of genius': report BLBloomberg51hRamaswamy Faces Blowback Over Ad With Rival’s Estranged Mother TDThe Daily Beast53hNikki Haley Criticizes Vivek Ramaswamy Over Ad Targeting Amy Acton TNThe New Republic55hRamaswamy’s Ad Featuring Opponent’s Mom Blows Up in His Face RSRaw Story56hRamaswamy ally turns on candidate over 'so gross' ad that has GOP 'recoiling': report RSRaw Story57hBackstory to GOP ad stuns CNN host: 'Almost as surprising as the ad itself'TDThe Daily Beast59hDem’s Odds Spike to All-Time High After MAGA Candidate’s Disaster Ad ANABC News59hAmy Acton campaign slams Ramaswamy over controversial ad featuring estranged mother AXAxios69hExclusive: Ramaswamy doubles down on explosive ad featuring rival's mother, despite backlash NNNBC News72hOhio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton condemns ad featuring her estranged mother TNThe New Republic73hVivek Ramaswamy Defends Disgusting Ad With Opponent’s Abusive Mom TGThe Guardian US74hOhio Democrat’s family criticizes Vivek Ramaswamy for bringing up estranged mother in gubernatorial ad TDThe Daily Beast74hAd Targeting Amy Acton Draws Backlash After Brother Reveals Abuse History RSRaw Story75h‘That ad made me feel worse’: Conservatives recoil from Ramaswamy over jarring attack ad

Center4

Center outlets report that the ad appears to be backfiring, boosting Acton's fundraising and creating divisions within the GOP. The Hill notes signs the controversial strategy may harm rather than help Ramaswamy's candidacy.

THThe Hill10hRamaswamy's last-ditch attack shows signs of backfiring THThe Hill32hActon responds to Ramaswamy's ad: 'It's despicable'NENewsweek50hRepublicans Call Out Vivek Ramaswamy Over Amy Acton Ad NENewsweek59hVivek Ramaswamy Confronted Over Amy Acton Mother Ad as Backlash Grows

Right4

Right-leaning outlets emphasize Acton's COVID-19 record and focus on substantive policy differences rather than the ad controversy itself. The Washington Examiner notes Acton's increased fundraising but frames it within the broader electoral context.

FNFox News2h‘Can’t trust Amy Acton’: Viral ad distracts from what’s really at stake in critical race, GOP strategist says WEWashington Examiner27hAmy Acton becomes ActBlue’s second-highest fundraiser after Ramaswamy attack ad WTWashington Times30hRepublican Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother REReason48hVivek Ramaswamy Is Defending Controversial Ad With Amy Acton's Mother