JD Vance Defends Ramaswamy Amid GOP Backlash Over Attack Ad

Speaking to reporters in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Vance dismissed concerns regarding the appropriateness of the 60-second video, suggesting that party members should focus their energy on opposing Democratic agendas rather than policing campaign tactics. The ad, financed by tech entrepreneur Ramaswamy at a cost of $4 million, attacks Acton by labeling her a liar and questioning her mental health, specifically highlighting her past experiences with homelessness and abuse.

While Vance rallied behind the Republican ticket, other party figures distanced themselves from the strategy. Sen. Jon Husted publicly stated he would not have aired the ad, and former presidential candidate Nikki Haley labeled Ramaswamy a bad actor for the personal nature of the attacks. Acton’s campaign has largely ignored the provocation, maintaining that her history of abuse—documented in court records involving her stepfather, Cledith Arthur—is not the focus of her bid for governor. Despite the high-profile support from the Vice President, some voters at the rally expressed discomfort, with attendees noting the advertisement felt exploitative of a victim’s past.