President Donald Trump is going all in on Vivek Ramaswamy's hard-hitting campaign ad in the Ohio governor's race. He spent two days defending it online and then again in front of cameras.

The ad at the center of it all

The spot targets Democrat Amy Acton. It features her estranged mother, who calls Acton a liar for saying she was abused as a child.

The ad has drawn criticism from both parties. Back when Acton was a girl her stepfather faced a rape charge involving her while he was still her mother's husband.

A long post on Truth Social

Trump claimed the press is waging a "concerted and well-coordinated attack" on the ad. In a lengthy post he urged Ramaswamy to keep running it.

He went after Acton with a string of insults and gave her the nickname "Lyin' Amy Acton." He also said he had never heard of her before.

Trump wrapped up by praising Ramaswamy as "a brilliant and outstanding person" and predicted he would be a great governor.

Pressed on the White House lawn

On Friday morning reporters asked Trump about the ad while he stood on the White House lawn. He argued that the mother's view of her daughter should be enough to settle the matter for Ohio voters.

One reporter asked whether he cared about the abuse allegations against Acton's former stepfather. Her mother lost custody after that charge was filed.

Trump did not answer the question. He tore into the reporter and her network instead. He kept repeating that the only thing that matters is that Acton's mother thinks she is a liar.

When the reporter pushed again about the rape charge, Trump said he knew nothing about the stepfather. He did not address the abuse claims at all.

Still in Ramaswamy's corner

It seems hard to believe that nobody on his staff ever briefed him about the controversy. The White House was contacted for more details.

For now the message from the president is plain. He is backing Ramaswamy and anyone who questions the ad should expect pushback.