Vice president defends controversial Ohio campaign advertisement

Vice President JD Vance defended a controversial campaign ad on October 21, telling fellow Republicans to stop criticising it and focus on winning.

The ad was made for Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor. It featured Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling Acton a liar and asking voters to reject her. Acton and her mother have not had contact since 1978, following an alleged crime against Acton when she was 12.

Some Republicans joined Democrats in criticising the ad. Vance, speaking to reporters in Cincinnati, said the party should concentrate on the election, which was about 13 days away. He compared the ad to attacks on President Trump that used his estranged niece Mary Trump.