Trump calls Amy Acton ‘fair game’ President Donald Trump on Thursday called Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton “fair game” while defending Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s ad featuring his estranged mother and ignoring abuse allegations against his stepfather. Trump calls Amy Acton ‘fair game’ 0:53 President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak soon in Iowa at a rally for Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, who faces a close race in a state Trump won by double digits in 2024. Democratic candidate Josh Turek has a slight lead in the race, new polls today showed, along with narrow leads for Democratic candidates in Ohio and Texas. Trump will return to Iowa on Nov. 1 for a rally in a competitive House district, according to the Republican National Committee. And in another state Trump won in 2024, Ohio’s gubernatorial race was rocked by Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s ad featuring his opponent’s estranged mother Amy Acton. Here’s more campaign news today: Ohio advertising turmoil: Trump doubled down on his defense of Ramaswamy’s ad and again ignored abuse allegations against his stepfather, calling Acton “fair game.” A person familiar with the matter told CNN that the president thought Republicans criticizing the ad were “weak” and that he considered the reaction negative. Trump campaign route: Trump declined to say whether he would travel to Maine before the midterm elections, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins has at times tried to distance herself from the administration amid a tough re-election fight. The latest CNN poll shows no clear leader in the race between Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson. Mississippi Draws Spending: Another sign of the unfavorable national environment for Trump came in Mississippi, where a major GOP super political action committee announced plans to buy ads in the unexpectedly competitive Senate race there. More GOP cash: With less than two weeks until Election Day and little sign of improving poll numbers, Republicans are spending furiously to try to boost their candidates. This month alone, No Going Back PAC, one of the super PACs funded by Trump’s political network, spent nearly $60 million, while Elon Musk donated another $76.8 million to his super PAC. Key New York House Race: Across the aisle, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will campaign in New York’s Lower Hudson Valley this weekend alongside Democrat Cait Conley, who is running to win one of the most competitive seats in the country in New York’s 17th Congressional District. He told CNN today that he fears Republicans could come up with a “diabolical plan” to prevent a free and fair election. CNN’s Patrick Svitek, Kaanita Iyer, Kit Maher, Adam Cancryn, David Wright, Fredreka Schouten, Gloria Pazmino, Jeremy Herb and Gabe Cohen contributed reporting.
