India, Oct. 24 -- President Donald Trump on Friday continued to defend a highly contentious advertisement from Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The ad featured the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent Amy Acton-a woman whom Acton alleges remained supportive of the man criminally charged with sexually abusing her during childhood.

As Trump departed the White House Friday morning, he repeatedly rebuffed reporter inquiries regarding the specific allegations of Acton's childhood sexual abuse. He maintained at several junctures that the advertisement bears "nothing to do" with Acton's stepfather, who faced criminal charges and entered a plea of not guilty.

According to court records and statements provided by Acton's ...