Trump Plans Ohio Rally Amid Ramaswamy Ad Controversy

President Donald Trump is expected to hold a campaign rally in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Wednesday. The visit occurs with less than a week remaining before Election Day. It places national attention on two competitive contests in the state that could influence the balance of power in Washington.

The rally coincides with a dispute involving Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. His team released an attack video featuring the estranged mother of Democratic challenger Dr. Amy Acton. In the clip, the woman calls her daughter a liar. Critics of the commercial argue it leaves out key details about Acton’s early life. Specifically, Acton and her brother were removed from their mother’s custody after her stepfather faced charges of sexually abusing Acton.

Acton responded to the spot at a recent campaign event. She stated, “My opponent has chosen to exploit my childhood to save his struggling campaign, but it’s not going to work.” Lawmakers from both parties have voiced criticism of the ad. This group includes Ohio’s Republican Governor, Mike DeWine.

Ramaswamy has defended the commercial. He argues that voters need to hear the allegations to form their own opinions. Trump has also backed the spot, telling reporters, “The mother said terrible things. Anybody seeing that would say, no way I’m voting for her.”

Recent polling indicates Democrats are gaining ground in Ohio. This trend increases the stakes for the presidential visit. The Chillicothe stop also draws focus to the state’s U.S. Senate race. Republican Senator Jon Husted faces a challenge from Democrat Sherrod Brown. Brown is seeking a political comeback after losing his Senate seat in 2024 to Trump-endorsed candidate Bernie Moreno.