Donald Trump addressed his supporters in Iowa on Thursday, dedicating a significant portion of his speech to defending an attack campaign spot featuring the mother of Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for Ohio governor, and his Democratic opponent, Dr Amy Acton.
Trump said he personally encouraged Ramaswamy to continue airing the spot. According to Trump, the mother appears in the ad stating that her daughter is incompetent, a liar and a repulsive, unreliable person. Trump added that he had inserted some claims into the spot that were not originally present. "My mother would not say that about me — even if she believed it," Trump said.
Describing his initial reaction to the spot, Trump said: "When I first saw it, I said: 'This means Vivek is going to win the race easily.'" He added that Ramaswamy then called him to say that the media were attacking him fiercely because people believed the spot should be pulled immediately. "The mother said terrible things about your opponent," Trump recounted his response. "I said: 'You have to stick with it.'"
Trump did not mention in his address that Ashley Hinson, the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Iowa, had condemned the spot earlier that same day. Hinson told ABC News: "I think it is absolutely disgusting and I think they should pull the spot." Her condemnation came before Trump's appearance.
Trump concluded his 90-minute address, during which he told supporters: "I am asking you to pretend that I am a candidate… pretend that I am on the ballot." He then repeated: "Remember, I am on the ballot." He explained: "Because I am on the ballot. Really, those are our things, they will be taken from us. If we do not win, they will be taken from us. So, I really am on the ballot."
Trump did not promise to step down from office if Republicans lose the House and the Senate. Attorney General Todd Blanche did not rule out the possibility that the Department of Justice might attempt to prevent states from certifying midterm election results.
In a separate development, Mary Peltola’s campaign for a US Senate seat from Alaska took her to parts of the state’s interior that are inaccessible by road. Peltola hopes to become the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Alaska in nearly two decades.
