Vance Criticizes Republican Responses Over Ramaswamy Attack Ad
Source reports published 22 Oct 2026, 4:12 am – 23 Oct 2026, 5:05 am AEST
JD Vance criticized Republican members for their reaction to a Vivek Ramaswamy attack ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who alleges abuse and homelessness. The ad raised questions about Acton's past.
What happened
- Vice President JD Vance stated his disgust with Republican responses to a Vivek Ramaswamy attack ad in Ohio.
- The ad utilized Donna Arthur, Acton’s estranged mother, to dispute Acton’s claims of a childhood marked by homelessness and alleged sexual abuse.
- Arthur, who hasn’t seen Acton since 1978, urged voters not to support her daughter.
- Acton has previously stated she was sexually abused by her stepfather when she was 12.
- Her mother remained with the stepfather, who was charged with rape but fled the state and died in 2004.
- Acton and her brother were removed from her mother’s custody due to severe abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse.
- Vance expressed a lack of concern regarding the ad’s appropriateness and focused on supporting Republican candidates in their midterm races.
- Ramaswamy claimed credit for the ad and announced plans to spend $4 million to promote it despite the backlash from some within his own party.