Trump and John Legend Hit Campaign Trail to Boost Candidates
WHO:
Fox News - President Donald Trump defended an ad by Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign that features Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur.
Fox News - Acton is the Democratic candidate opposing Ramaswamy in Ohio’s gubernatorial race.
Fox News - A reporter who identified herself as working for NBC questioned Trump about sexual-abuse allegations involving Acton.
Billboard - John Legend is scheduled to appear with Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton amid backlash over the ad.
Fox News - Acton said she and her brother Phil endured abuse, hunger, neglect, and homelessness while growing up in Youngstown; she said her birth mother’s husband sexually abused her when she was between 10 and 12.
WHAT:
Fox News - Trump said, “A mother is saying, don’t put my daughter there because she’s a terrible person and she’s a liar. Why shouldn’t somebody use that?”
Fox News - When the NBC reporter asked, “But do the sexual abuse allegations mean nothing to you, sir?”, Trump said, “Quiet,” called her “a horrible little reporter,” and referred to her as “miss NBC.”
Fox News - Trump said he would be “so lucky” to have an ad like Ramaswamy’s and asked, “Why wouldn’t you listen to a mother that says that?”
Fox News - Arthur’s ad calls Acton “a liar,” says she lied about her past and about growing up in a tent, and urges viewers not to vote for her or let her become governor.
Fox News - Acton wrote on Facebook that she and Phil spent one winter homeless in a tent, were often kept in a dark basement, were frequent visitors to child protective services, and lived in fear of their birth mother’s “violent and erratic temper.”
Fox News - Acton said her birth mother did nothing to protect her from the abuse and described Ramaswamy’s use of her mother as exploitation for political gain.
Billboard - The article describes backlash against the ad as criticism of a “deeply troubling” spot featuring Acton’s long-estranged mother disparaging her.
WHERE:
Fox News - The gubernatorial contest is in Ohio; Acton said she grew up in Youngstown.
WHY:
Fox News - Trump defended using the ad, arguing that voters should hear a mother’s criticism of her daughter.
Fox News - Acton said the ad used her mother to advance Ramaswamy’s political interests.
HOW:
Fox News - Ramaswamy’s campaign used a video featuring Arthur’s criticism of Acton; Acton responded in a lengthy Facebook post.
Billboard - Legend’s planned appearance with Acton is presented as taking place amid the backlash to the ad.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 20:15 UTC)
President Trump defended an Ohio campaign ad featuring Donna Arthur, the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. The ad, produced by Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign, calls Acton a liar about her past and urges voters not to elect her. Trump said voters should listen to a mother criticizing her daughter, adding that he would be “so lucky” to have an ad like it. When an NBC reporter asked whether Acton’s sexual-abuse allegations meant nothing to him, Trump told her to be quiet and called her “a horrible little reporter.” Acton has said she and her brother endured abuse, hunger, neglect, and homelessness growing up in Youngstown, including a winter in a tent. She accused Ramaswamy of exploiting her mother for political gain. Singer John Legend is scheduled to appear with Acton amid the backlash.