Obama condemns Trump-backed advert at Ohio campaign rally

Barack Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in Ohio and Michigan, criticising President Donald Trump and Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy over a campaign advert targeting Amy Acton. The dispute has become a flashpoint in Ohio’s closely fought midterm races, with Obama arguing the advert reflects a lack of decency in public life.

In Ohio, Obama appeared with Acton and Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to unseat Republican Senator Jon Husted. Ramaswamy’s advert features Acton’s estranged birth mother, who calls her a liar and questions her mental health; Ramaswamy and Trump defended it, while Republican Governor Mike DeWine and other state Republicans called for it to be removed. Obama then appeared in Detroit with Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, whose narrow primary win leaves him working to unite Democratic voters.