Franklin Leonard condemns Ramaswamy over the ad featuring Acton's mother
Franklin LeonardFounder of the Black List and Vanity Fair contributing editor
Leonard says Ramaswamy is "campaigning hard for Most Despicable Person in Politics" in a post quoting Acton's release of her brother's statement.
“.@VivekGRamaswamy campaigning hard for Most Despicable Person in Politics just before the election.”
Original post
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Ramaswamy's campaign defends using Amy Acton's estranged mother in an attack ad
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign produced an advertisement in which Amy Acton's estranged mother accuses her of lying. Acton says Ramaswamy took advantage of her mother, and the campaign defends its attack on Acton's credibility. Critics from both parties condemn the tactic, while Laura Loomer defends it.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Franklin Leonard's post quotes Acton's post of an image containing Phillip Stearns's statement about the advertisement.
Reporting
About this source
The article identifies Ham's post as a response to the Acton advertisement and embeds it. Its early account of unknown sponsorship predates Ramaswamy's later confirmation.
Before the quotation
Leonard quotes Acton's post of a statement from her brother, Phillip Stearns.
After the quotation
In the quoted family statement, Phillip Stearns condemns turning the abuse Acton endured into a political talking point.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the campaign's use of Acton's mother in the ad, Leonard criticizes Ramaswamy in response to the brother's statement condemning it.
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More from this case
Read the full caseKatie Paris criticizes Ramaswamy for using Acton's pain in the campaign ad
“It takes a very weak man to use a woman's pain to try to make himself feel strong.”Read statement
Jonah Goldberg criticizes Vance's defense of Ramaswamy's ad
“So shameful.”Read statement
Nancy Mace calls Ramaswamy's ad featuring Acton's mother the most shameful of the election season
“This ad is going to go down as the most shameful, disgusting, offensive ad this election season.”Read statement
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- Franklin Leonard condemns Ramaswamy over the ad featuring Acton's mother
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The Dispute Index. "Franklin Leonard condemns Ramaswamy over the ad featuring Acton's mother". First published: 2026-10-21. Last updated: 2026-10-21. https://disputeindex.com/events/6361-leonard-says-ramaswamy-is-campaigning-hard-for-most