JD Vance tells Republicans to 'stop whining' about Vivek Ramaswamy ad

politicsOct 22, 202622881

Sen. JD Vance told Republicans in Cincinnati to “stop whining” about Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial Ohio attack ad and urged them to focus on winning the race in 13 days. The ad features Amy Acton’s estranged mother calling Acton a “liar”; Acton previously said she was sexually abused as a child and her brother said their mother stayed married to Acton’s rapist until his death. The spot drew criticism across the aisle: Sen. Jon Husted said he “would not have run that ad,” conservative commentator Meghan McCain called it “dastardly,” an aide to Sen. Mike Lee deleted and apologized for sharing it, and Rep. Nancy Mace called it “the most shameful, disgusting, offensive ad this election season.” Vance dismissed those complaints, saying appropriateness was not his concern and urging Republicans to remember harsh ads run against him. NBC News reported overlaps between Vance’s and Ramaswamy’s political teams, and Ramaswamy’s campaign plans a $4 million statewide advertising push around the spot. The ad has become a focal point in the closing days of the Ohio gubernatorial contest and intensified scrutiny of Ramaswamy’s campaign tactics.

Steven Beschloss

@stevenbeschloss.bsky.social

I didn't know for sure before, but after that ad? Vivek Ramaswamy is scum, just utter trash. Ohioans: Please vote for Amy Acton and keep this despicable man away from public office.

4611h ago

Brian M. Wise: Snarkasaurus Rex. Ω, MFers.6

Oh, I was almost 100% that he was a pile of human garbage from day 1 simply because of the words coming out of his mouth. He's a complete waste of carbon.

MWriterGirl1

Vicious Vivek Is bigger scum Than The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Jubilado05051

That’s exactly what I called him a few minutes ago in an email to his campaign.

David Pepper

@davidpepperoh.bsky.social

Republican Governor Mike DeWine just called on Vivek Ramaswamy to pull his repulsive attack ad. Ramaswamy’s gutter politics are beyond shameful. He will lose in 12 days and it will be because Ohioans know he is a pathetic man who is not fit to lead.

992h ago

wantshoes7.bsky.social2

He appointed Dr. Amy Acton to his administration. Then, he endorsed Ramasmarmy. He's the worst kind of Republican. He knows better but was party all the way. Go away, you spineless wimp. The sooner you're gone, the better.

Anne Loves Bassets1

DeWine says this yet continues to endorse the gutter guy. Hard to take him seriously. Hope they are all voted out in a blue wave!

Leetlelinda1

I hope you’re right. Fearful for our nation.

A.B.1

DeWine needs to pull VR's endorsement!

Mike Nellis

@mikenellis.bsky.social

Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine just slammed Vivek Ramaswamy for the disgusting ad they're running weaponizing Amy Acton's sexual assault: "The ad is deeply troubling. But when you know the rest of the story, it just makes it more wrong. It's wrong to run this."

762h ago

The Rodge 2026 Rabbit 🐰3

A Male version of Susan Collins.

wantshoes7.bsky.social2

He appointed Amy Acton to his administration. Then, he endorsed Ramasmarmy. He's the worst kind of Republican. He knows better but was party all the way. Go away, you spineless wimp. The sooner you're gone, the better.

Penthesilea2

Exhibit A for "Republicans who know better but have waited too long to actually speak up" which is a HUGE group and I'm seriously annoyed with them all

bingmanc.bsky.social1

That's a slam? It's a milquetoast reaction worthy of Susan Collins.

coachdondelotell.bsky.social1

But just a little "profile in courage" for Mike won't allow him to drop his endorsement of Ramascummy for Ohio governor----Dewine is still a corrupt Ohio GOP Party guy---it's a weak step for Dewine, but a step!! Dr. Acton for the W in 12 days!!

Will Sommer

@willsommer.bsky.social

After some initial shock, MAGA media figures like Glenn Beck and Ben Shapiro have come to embrace Vivek Ramaswamy's ad starring Amy Acton's estranged mother. My latest False Flag for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-media...

571h ago

Stephen Cunningham5

I swear, if Donald Trump took a dump on the United States flag right there in the Oval Office on national television, these idiots would applaud and say he'd "owned the libs".

Jeremy C-howl4

They had to take it in, splash some water on their faces, look into the mirror and realize this is who they are now.

poor-yorick.bsky.social2

I’m quite cynical about voters and I do not believe this ad will work.

jamrock45.bsky.social2

We're going to be stuck with this "vice signaling," especially on the Right for years to come, even after Trump leaves the scene. 4Chan-esque chuds are in charge of the GOP. (i really hope it doesn't spread on the left).

phillycheryl1

They should keep embracing loudly and passionately. It shows who they are. Maybe it's disgustingness with become clear to some who don't see the harm in voting Republican.

Quoting this

Anthony L. Fisher72

The MAGA civility cops are all lining up to defend the indefensible.

Jason Karsh7

Again, the fundamental organizing principle for Republicans may be racism, but the singular goal of the party is power. Obtaining it, securing it, keeping it. Indefinitely. There is no line they won’t cross, no principle they won’t abandon, the only thing that matters is that they wield power.

Martha Crawford5

They are running a right-to-rape platform. Its as simple as that. This works with their agenda. No need to do anything other than embrace it.

FactPost

@factpostnews.bsky.social

Here is JD Vance defending the ad at his rally yesterday: "The media and Democrats are obsessed because Vivek Ramaswamy had the audacity to run a TV commercial that calls it like it is"

452h ago

KC Blue Dot2

If you have any doubts trump is in the Epstein files, JD just followed orders to blame the 12 year old girl instead of the pedophile.

Quoting this

K Wilde3

I cannot wait for the fall of JamesDonaldJohnBowmanHamelVanceSofaLover.

Adam Keiper

@adamkeiper.com

In the background of the controversy over the loathsome Vivek Ramaswamy ad is this: He is running to be the governor of Ohio—the official charged with seeing that the laws are faithfully executed. But he's promoting the lies of an accused rapist who fled Ohio rather than face its justice.

271h ago

TizzyWoman

@tizzywoman.bsky.social

JD Vance thinks America is too small for some of us. I think America is big enough for everyone—families who came here, indigenous people, & those brought against their will. His view of America is small, small-minded, & small like him. America is big enough. MI ~ elect @abdulelsayed.bsky.social

191h ago

Bayliss Wagner

@baylisswagner.bsky.social

New w/ @campbellnyt.bsky.social: Ohio’s Republican Governor Calls on Ramaswamy to Take Down Attack Ad www.nytimes.com/2026/10/22/u...

192h ago

Jeff Roush

@jeffroushwriting.bsky.social

Mike DeWine continues to endorse Vivek and every Republican, through lies and scandals and cruelty, calling them “good people.” At what point does that phrase become about what people actually say and do, rather than just an ascribed, unearned identity? www.statenews.org/government-p...

101h ago

American Bridge 21st Century

@ab21.bsky.social

WATCH: Alyssa Farah Griffin, Trump’s former White House communications director, on Vivek Ramaswamy’s ad: “I genuinely can’t think of” a worse political ad. “This tells you everything you need to know about Vivek Ramaswamy.” #OHGov #OHpolitics

81h ago

Jen Rubin

@jenrubin.bsky.social

With Chris Christie, Mike DeWine and even Scott Jennings (!?!) denouncing Vivek's despicable ad, JD Vance shows his own ugly stripes and continues to shill for depravity

9Just now

Anomalous Jen

@anomalouslibrarian.bsky.social

Ramaswamy has produced an attack ad weaponizing the rape of his opponent, Amy Acton, when she was 12 years old. It features Acton’s mother, who abandoned Acton after she was raped by her step-father, fleeing the state with her husband. Here is the corporate money helping fund that ad.