Ramaswamy Defends Controversial Ohio Campaign Ad, Calls Opponent a Liar

During a Republican tour stop in Powell, Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy defended a controversial advertisement that depicts Amy Acton’s estranged mother labeling her a liar. He argued the spot addresses Acton’s alleged falsehoods about the pandemic death rate and a domestic-dispute 911 call, not the childhood-abuse claim that has dominated recent coverage. Ramaswamy accused the media and the Democratic Party of diverting attention and warned of “tricks” in the campaign.

He pledged to be the strongest governor in prosecuting any form of abuse and criticized Acton for defaming his mother. When asked on Fox & Friends if he regretted the ad, he said he would finish a fight once started. The ad has been trimmed to a 30-second TV version that omits the tent-living claim.