Trump backs Ramaswamy at Ohio rally, calls rival Acton a 'total lunatic'
Synopsis
Donald Trump flew to Youngstown to personally stump for Vivek Ramaswamy — his former primary rival turned political ally — calling him a 'very good friend' while savaging Democratic candidate Amy Acton. With Ramaswamy trailing by four points and Election Day on 3 November, a Trump win here would install the first Indian-American governor in the US Midwest.
Key Takeaways
Donald Trump held a campaign rally at the Covelli Centre, Youngstown, Ohio on 13 October 2026 in support of Vivek Ramaswamy .
Trump called Ramaswamy a 'very good friend,' crediting him with 'great plans' including tax cuts.
Trump attacked Democratic candidate Amy Acton , calling her a 'total lunatic' and accusing her of shutting down Ohio schools and businesses during Covid.
Ramaswamy pledged to end sanctuary cities in Ohio and to be 'the most conservative governor this state has ever seen.' Ramaswamy trails Acton by approximately four points in the MS NOW-FiftyPlusOne polling average; the election is on 3 November .
A Ramaswamy win would make him the third Indian-American governor in US history and the first from the Midwest.
US President Donald Trump mounted a forceful personal endorsement of Indian-American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on 13 October 2026, praising his former primary rival as a 'very good friend' while launching a sharp attack on Ramaswamy's Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, branding her a 'total lunatic.' The rally at the Covelli Centre marks Trump's second visit to Ohio in this election cycle — an unusually strong show of investment in a single state governor's race.
Trump's Pitch for Ramaswamy
Recalling the 2024 Republican presidential primary — in which Ramaswamy ran against Trump before dropping out and endorsing him — the President told supporters: 'And we're going to send my very good friend — you know, I ran against him, and he was not easy. He's a very smart guy and he's a very good guy. And he loves — he loves this state.'
Trump added: 'He's got a lot of great plans, like cutting taxes all over the place. You'll be very happy. You're going to be amazed at how good he is, how smart he is.' He also urged the crowd to back Senator Jon Husted alongside Ramaswamy, warning against Ohio being 'plundered, ransacked and destroyed like Minnesota's being destroyed.'
Attack on Amy Acton
Trump turned sharply on Acton, a physician and former state health director, accusing her of having 'shut down Ohio schools during Covid' and 'locked up your factories and your businesses.' He also claimed 'she wants to take away your guns' — charges that Acton's campaign has not yet publicly addressed, according to available reports.
What Ramaswamy Said
Speaking before Trump took the stage, Ramaswamy declared: 'I say this as the proud son of legal immigrants to this country — your first act of entering this country cannot break the law — that is why we are ending sanctuary cities in the state of Ohio.' He promised to be 'the most conservative governor this state has ever seen in our history' and, joining Trump on stage later, accused Acton of refusing to debate him. 'The woman I'm running against actually refuses to show up for a debate with me,' he said.
Ramaswamy also pledged to work closely with the President: 'I will be a governor who proudly works with the President of the United States of America to bring more dollars into Ohio, to bring higher paying jobs to Ohio.'
The Race and Its Historic Stakes
Despite the high-profile backing, Ramaswamy reportedly trails Acton by approximately four points in the MS NOW-FiftyPlusOne polling average. Ohio's gubernatorial election is scheduled for 3 November.
A Ramaswamy victory would make him the third Indian-American governor in US history — after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina — and the first from the Midwest. The Cincinnati-born son of immigrants from Kerala, he is running to succeed Republican incumbent Mike DeWine, who is term-limited.
With the November vote fast approaching and Trump deploying his endorsement machine in person, the Ohio governor's race has acquired a national dimension that goes well beyond state politics.
Point of View
But the race will ultimately turn on whether Ohio voters see Ramaswamy's ideological pitch — sanctuary cities, merit politics, deep-red conservatism — as a fit for a traditionally swing-state electorate. The Acton debate-refusal allegation, if it sticks, could close that gap; if it doesn't, Trump's star power alone may not be enough.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump campaign for Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio?
Trump held a rally at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown on 13 October 2026 to personally endorse Ramaswamy for Ohio governor, calling him a 'very good friend.' The two were rivals in the 2024 Republican presidential primary before Ramaswamy dropped out and endorsed Trump.
Who is Amy Acton and why is Trump attacking her?
Amy Acton is a physician, former Ohio state health director, and the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor. Trump accused her of shutting down schools and businesses during Covid and claimed she wants to restrict gun rights, branding her a 'total lunatic' — claims her campaign has not publicly addressed in available reports.
What is Vivek Ramaswamy's current standing in the Ohio governor's race?
Ramaswamy reportedly trails Acton by approximately four points in the MS NOW-FiftyPlusOne polling average. Ohio votes on 3 November 2026.
What would a Ramaswamy victory mean historically?
Vivek Ramaswamy would become the third Indian-American governor in US history, after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina, and the first from the Midwest. He is the Cincinnati-born son of immigrants from Kerala.
Who is the outgoing Ohio governor and why is the seat open?
Republican incumbent Mike DeWine is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, making the seat an open contest between Ramaswamy and Acton.
