Overview
- Ramaswamy confirmed Thursday that the one‑minute ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother has been taken off the air and replaced with other spots.
- The commercial showed Donna Arthur calling her daughter a “liar” and questioned Acton’s accounts of childhood abuse that are documented in 1978 court records.
- Ad tracking shows the campaign spent roughly $995,000–$1 million to run the ad, far less than the $4 million the campaign initially announced.
- The spot drew broad bipartisan condemnation—including from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine—while President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly defended keeping it on air.
- Republican internal polling and public surveys reported after the ad’s release indicated Ramaswamy’s support fell and Acton’s lead widened, but many votes were cast during early voting so the final electoral impact and possible down‑ballot effects remain uncertain.